Pushing the Boundaries of Freshwater Ecosystem Restoration: Evaluating a Conservation Initiative in Terms of Social-Ecological Resilience

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most transformed systems on Earth despite their critical importance to human well-being. This research utilized a single case, embedded case study design to explore the possibility of an approach to aquatic ecosystem restoration informed by social-ecological resilience as a way of applying current understandings of complex adaptive systems to restoration for improved outcomes. Trout Unlimited Canada’s Stream Rehabilitation, From Form to Function Training Program was assessed and restoration initiatives informed by the program were evaluated in terms of social-ecological resilience. The findings from this study indicate that the approach to restoration taught in the training program, along with the initiatives informed by the program, reflect principles for building resilience. Furthermore, the outcomes of the restoration initiatives informed by the program were found to be positive. These findings provide encouraging evidence in support of a new approach to restoration informed by social-ecological resilience