The conference theme for SER2019 is “Restoring Land, Water & Community Resilience”. Inspired in part by the South African experience with Working for Water and related initiatives – which are among the best examples anywhere in the world of integrating ecological, economic, and social goals under one framework – the theme is intended to help keep discussion about developments in restoration research, practice, and policy focused on the big picture. Projects large and small are typically most successful and have the greatest impact when goals are set from a landscape-level perspective and when socioeconomic and cultural dimensions are incorporated from the start. South Africa provides ample opportunity to see and hear inspiring stories of restoration work that combines outcomes for land, water, and community development simultaneously.