On October 7 The White House released a new policy memorandum directing federal agencies to begin incorporating ecosystem services in federal planning and decision making--an action that a White House blog noted will enhance our ability to recognize and leverage the benefits of natural systems, protect against natural hazards, and support social and economic development while keeping our communities and our world healthy and livable. Anticipating that action, the National Ecosystem Services Partnership (NESP) has worked over the last three years with agencies, academics, and practitioners to develop the Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services Guidebook, an online resource that provides a framework for incorporating ecosystem services into decision making and highlighting relevant efforts by federal agencies. The guidebook is currently being revised to incorporate recommendations from our best practices report. The update should be online by the end of 2015 and available as a printable PDF in late February 2016. 

On November 3 the White House released a memorandum aimed at minimizing impacts on, accelerating restoration of, and incentivizing private investment in our land, water, and wildlife.  

NESP is now posting materials from our community webinars online. Watch the latest recording from Kelly Burks-Copes on quantification and metrics for ecosystem goods and services. 

Ecosystem Economics. Huffington Post, September 22, 2015.

 

Ecosystem Services Study Provides More Insight into the Environmental Impacts of Wood-Based Products. Globe News Wire, September 30, 2015. 

 

South Africa: U.N. Report Details Ecosystem Services of Almost One Billion Dollars Annually in Four Pilot Countries. All Africa, October 7, 2015.

 

The Value of Nature to Be Recognized in Every U.S. Federal Agency Under New Guidance. Ecosystem Marketplace, October 9, 2015. 

 

U.N. Co-Chair for Ecosystem Services Platform Selected. Deccan Herald, October 13, 2015.

 

African Straw-Coloured Bats as Ecosystem Providers. Phys.org, October 14, 2015.

 

Interest Builds in Giving Farmers Credit for Growing Green. National Public Radio, October 16, 2015. 

 

Vietnam's Prime Minister Approves Plan for 3.6 Million Dollar Carbon Market. Vietnam Net, October 29, 2015. 

 

The Business Case for the Return of the Lynx. Business Green, October 29, 2015.

 

Assessing Ecosystem Services: Increasing the Impact on Decision Making. Eureka Alert, November 5, 2015.