Abstract

In the context of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the need to integrate ecological and social dimensions into restoration practices has gained global attention. In this opinion article, we explore the emerging shift toward a social-ecological restoration framework in Chile, a country facing severe ecosystem degradation across both terrestrial and marine environments. Based on a review of 95 restoration initiatives compiled by the Chilean Ministry of the Environment, we highlight that most projects focus on ecological outcomes with limited inclusion of local communities or marine ecosystems. We argue that advancing restoration requires a more inclusive and interdisciplinary approach, where community engagement, local and Indigenous knowledge, and values such as sense of place are central to long-term success. We complement this diagnosis with examples of recent scientific and community-based projects that exemplify social-ecological principles across land and sea. Our reflections are framed within a unique institutional moment: the recent approval of Chile's Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service, which opens a critical window to embed social-ecological approaches into national restoration planning. However, challenges remain regarding implementation, funding, and intersectoral collaboration. © 2025 Society for Ecological Restoration.