SER Africa Symposium
Africa Ecosystem Restoration Symposium 2026
Delivering Ecosystem Restoration at Scale on a Dynamic Continent
About the Symposium
A continental gathering for restoration
Africa is entering a decisive decade for ecosystem restoration. With more than 700 million hectares already degraded and climate-related risks intensifying across landscapes, restoration is no longer a peripheral scientific concern—it is central to securing water, sustaining biodiversity, reducing disaster risk, and supporting livelihoods across the continent. The urgency is no longer about understanding degradation, but about implementing restoration at scale in ways that are scientifically grounded, socially inclusive, and institutionally embedded. The Society for Ecological Restoration Africa Chapter (SER-AF), established in 2021, continues to play a central role in advancing restoration science, practice, and policy across the continent. Through its growing network of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, SER-AF has contributed to strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange in ecological restoration. Building on this momentum, the Africa Ecosystem Restoration Symposium 2026 is convened as a continental platform to move beyond dialogue and towards coordinated implementation. Join restoration practitioners, researchers, and policymakers from across Africa for a multi-day symposium on ecological restoration science, practice, and policy. The Symposium brings together SER members, students, and partners to share evidence, build networks, and shape the next chapter of restoration on the continent. A defining feature of the 2026 Symposium is the integration of the 5th Catchment-Based Indaba (CBI) as a parallel platform within the programme. The Catchment-Based Indaba focuses on strengthening climate resilience through integrated catchment management, with a particular emphasis on mainstreaming ecological infrastructure and Eco-DRR into local development planning and governance systems. The inclusion of the CBI strengthens the Symposium by anchoring discussions in real-world implementation challenges, particularly in relation to water security, land degradation, and climate adaptation. It provides a dedicated platform for engaging practitioners, government stakeholders, and communities, ensuring that the Symposium moves beyond knowledge exchange to address institutional and operational realities.
Programme & Key Dates
When and where
Dates
12–16 October 2026
Venue
26 Degrees South Lodge
Muldersdrift, Gauteng, South Africa
Detailed programme
The detailed programme will be released closer to the event date. Confirmed registrants will receive the full schedule by email.
Registration Fees
Fees (in South African Rand)
Early bird
Until 30 July 2026
- SER membersZAR 3,500
- Non-SER membersZAR 4,000
- StudentsZAR 3,000
Standard
1 – 30 August 2026
- SER membersZAR 4,500
- Non-SER membersZAR 5,000
- StudentsZAR 4,000
Late
1 September – 11 October 2026
- SER membersZAR 5,500
- Non-SER membersZAR 6,000
- StudentsZAR 5,000
Payment: All fees are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR). Please email proof of payment to africa@ser.org once you have completed the bank transfer. Your registration is only confirmed once payment has been received.
Banking details will be sent to you by email after you submit this registration form, together with an invoice. For any billing queries please contact africa@ser.org.
Call for Abstracts
Submit your abstract
Deadline: 30 July 2026
All abstracts must be submitted via this website. Abstracts submitted by email will not be considered. Abstracts must be submitted by 30 July 2026; late submissions will not be reviewed. Abstracts must be written in English and should clearly and concisely describe the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of the work. Provide three keywords. Maximum word count is 250 (excluding author names, affiliations, and keywords). Provide the full names and institutional affiliations of all authors; the submitting author is assumed to be the presenting author unless otherwise stated. Student presenters should indicate their status — prizes will be awarded for the best student presentations. Furthermore, sponsorship is available to support the participation of a limited number of students. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to reassign submissions to a different format where necessary. Acceptance of an abstract does not constitute registration — all presenting authors are required to register separately.
Reserve your spot
Symposium registration
You'll need to sign in or create an account to complete your registration.
Current tier: Early bird
Until 30 July 2026
ZAR 3,500
Accommodation
The registration fee does not include accommodation. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own accommodation.
Transport & shuttle
Shuttle services will be available to transport delegates between selected accommodation establishments and the Symposium venue. Participants wishing to use the shuttle service must reserve a seat in advance through the online registration form. Due to limited capacity, shuttle reservations must be submitted upon registration. Reservations received after the deadline cannot be guaranteed. Details regarding pick-up points, schedules, and costs will be communicated to registered participants closer to the Symposium date.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
If your plans change
| Cancellation window | Refund |
|---|---|
| On or before 30 July 2026 | 75% refund of the registration fee |
| 1 August – 31 August 2026 | 50% refund |
| After 31 August 2026 | No refunds |
Substitutions may be made at no additional cost by notifying the conference secretariat in writing. Refunds will be processed within 30 days after the Symposium.
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