The animal issue in ecosystem restoration: Foregrounding the animal family through environmental restorative justice (ERJ)

I draw attention to the context of ecosystem restoration where a wide number of contestations impact how animal kin are included or excluded from restorative efforts. In part 1, I explore why the Animal Question is an important one for ecosystem restoration and identify the issues of habitus, deep harm and contested spaces. Following in part 2, I discuss why I think ERJ is relevant for engaging with the Animal Question in ecosystem restoration and situate ERJ’s conceptualisation of harm. Part 3 delves deeper into some of the pathways I consider ERJ ethos and practices might engage the Animal Question in the context of ecosystem restoration. My consideration starts by discussing the values of relationality, care and connectedness. I then examine the need for reflection before examining the contestations through examples of expert-to-expert, expert-to-volunteer, and giving animal kin voice. I finish this part by suggesting that taking the long view, what I term ‘ongoing attentiveness’, must underlie ERJ’s direction. In conclusion, I advocate that having a restorative imagination will encourage far-reaching, transformative engagement with the Animal Question.