by Elise Gornish, University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Arizona institute for Resilient Environments & Societies, Tucson, Arizona, United States

The rate of habitat destruction caused by human land use and climate change is accelerating. To reverse this loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation, ecological restoration, or ‘the process of assisting in the recovery of a damaged habitat’ is becoming a priority worldwide.

Kids need to know what ecological restoration is because they can take an active part in it! Inspired by the UN Decade on Ecological Restoration, the first and only book on ecological restoration for kids has just been published by a Restoration Ecologist with over 15 years of experience in the field. With simple descriptions, colorful pictures and a hopeful tone, this book will introduce children (aged 6-11) to ecological restoration, including summaries of some of the largest projects going on worldwide and examples of how anyone young and old can get involved in restoration. Activities at the end of the book reinforce this idea by inviting readers to take an active part in helping their environment. The book is available on Amazon.