Embracing eco‐cultural restoration

The UN Decade of Restoration calls us to pursue more resilient and enduring approaches for restoration. One such approach is eco‐cultural restoration, which places the culture of local and Indigenous communities at the center of restoration. Eco‐cultural restoration shifts our understanding of what constitutes successful restoration, emphasizing the restoration of inter‐related ecological integrity and cultural diversity. To better understand the principles of eco‐cultural restoration work and how it has been implemented globally, we examined 44 papers and non‐published case studies identified through online literature repositories. We identified five key principles among eco‐cultural restoration projects: (1) centering and valuing ancestral understandings, (2) building reciprocity and trust between partners, (3) sparking learning across generations, (4) reinvigorating traditions and culture, and (5) engaging communities holistically. Along with concrete examples of restoration efforts led with eco‐cultural restoration, we offer a set of foundational questions to transform and expand traditional restoration practices.