Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary (MFWS) protects over 1,500 hectares of critically endangered Yellow-box Red-gum Grassy Woodland. Its establishment and development reflect a unique collaboration between the Canberra community, the ACT Government and the Australian National University (ANU). Strategic partnerships and government funding enabled the creation of a predator-proof sanctuary adjacent to new urban development. ACT Parks and Conservation Service eliminated invasive species (foxes, cats, rabbits and hares), allowing the reintroduction of locally extinct mammals (eastern bettongs, eastern quolls, spotted-tailed quolls and New Holland mouse) and bush stone-curlews. These reintroductions are central to the long-term Mulligans Flat - Goorooyarroo Woodland Experiment, initially funded through Australian Research Council grants. Continued support from the ACT Government, the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, and the Odonata Foundation enabled the construction of Wildbark, a community visitor learning centre that now serves as a hub for woodland tours, research, and education.

This final chapter reflects on two decades of ecological restoration and research at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary (MFWS), highlighting its evolution into a globally significant rewilding experiment. It outlines the integration of science, community engagement and land management to restore box-gum grassy woodlands and reintroduce species like eastern bettongs and eastern quolls. The chapter emphasises the importance of long-term partnerships, adaptive management and cumulative knowledge in achieving restoration goals. It discusses the expansion of the sanctuary, the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the emergence of ‘smart conservation’ using digital technologies and ecosystem modeling. Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary is positioned as a model for whole ecosystem restoration and is a candidate for a global conservation ‘super-site’. Future directions include continued species translocations, expanded social science research and diversified funding strategies. The chapter concludes with key lessons for integrating research and restoration to address the biodiversity crisis.

This chapter outlines a systematic, adaptive approach to selecting species for reintroduction at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary (MFWS), aiming to restore ecosystem function through multi-species rewilding. Recognising the limitations of single-species reintroductions, the authors developed a decision support tool (DST) based on IUCN criteria, ecological roles, and historical occurrence. The process involved defining bioregional settings, compiling evidence of past species presence, analysing biological traits and assessing ecological compatibility. Priority species were identified through a transparent scoring system, with initial reintroductions including eastern bettong, New Holland mouse, brown treecreeper, and bush stone-curlew. The approach emphasises the importance of keystone and ecosystem engineer species, the need for long-term adaptive management, and the integration of ecological, historical and practical considerations. This framework offers a globally adaptable model for evidence-based species selection in ecosystem restoration projects.