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Nature-Based Solutions Tools Search

This database contains over 400 tools and resources that can help guide practitioners at various stages of the nature-based solutions project cycle. Use the filters to identify the tools and resources most useful to you.

You can filter the full list by the habitat type you’re working in, the nature-based solutions strategy you want to use, the project phase you are looking for help with, or the type of tool/resource you’re looking for.

The tools and resources shown here were gathered through a robust search of both federal and non-federal sources. We recognize that this library will never be completely comprehensive, but if you know of an important missing tool or resource, please email nesp@duke.edu.

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This report and accompanying datasets from the U.S. Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flood Hazard Scenarios and Tools Interagency Task Force provide 1) sea level rise scenarios to 2150 by decade that include estimates of vertical land motion and 2) a set of extreme water level probabilities for various heights along the U.S. coastline. The information in this report summarizes the data and informaiton used to create several federal tools and resources related to coastal flood hazard/sea level rise, and a primary goal is to provide 'screening-level products'. 

Relevant phase:

Focusing on monitoring considerations, this guide helps projects match their restoration goals with the appropriate monitoring metrics. In addition to providing common monitoring variables, the authors also discuss site selection and global oyster decline.

NBS Strategies:

There are many models that help determine if the environmental conditions are appropriate for oyster reef restoration. This guide helps managers parse through these models while also examining environmental drivers that influence oyster health.

Relevant phase:
NBS Strategies:

Guidance for stormwater park planning and design, including information on engaging with communities, working with consultants, and post-construction operations.

This guidebook is an overview of best practices to promote healthy pollinator populations on federal lands. It is not specific to pollinator garden creation, but includes information that is helpful to those creating pollinator-friendly habitat.

Relevant phase:
NBS Strategies:

Decision-support map tool to identify priority sites for sagebrush management based on management priorities for restored or conserved habitats.

Relevant phase:

This database is the United State's official inventory of terrestrial and marine protected areas. It shows geographic boundaries, information on recognized names and land owners/managers, conservation measures for each parcel, and applicable IUCN categories.

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Relevant phase:

This page explains NOAA's appraoch to techncial support for habitat restoration projects.

Guide to designing and constructing a rain garden, including maintenance and trouble-shooting.

The Rainwater Harvesting Tool was designed to provide geospatial data to assist in determining the feasibility of collecting rainwater in an interactive and intuitive way.

Relevant phase:

With a special emphasis on the role climate change plays in shaping riverine systems, this resource provides information on how to plan and enact a river restoration project. With numerous case studies of successful riverine connectivity projects, the guidebook provides insights into designing an effective plan.

Details on seeding big sagebrush, including site evaluation, pretreatment, seed testing and storage, germination, seeding techniques, and postseeding management and monitoring.

These maps show areas for potential restoration and conservation through NBS applications across the conterminous United States under 5 scenarios: urban greening, restoring historic forest that had been converted to grassland, conserving pristine grasslands, rewetting peatlands, and conserving tidal wetlands.

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Following the course of one specific project, the authors illustrate techniques that can be used for oyster restoration. The book delves into bathymetric surveys, community engagement, and larval recruitment.

NBS Strategies:

Introduction to sagebrush ecosystem structure and function, and in-depth information about planning and implementing passive and active restoration approaches. Includes plant lists.

In-person class on sagebrush restoration, including planning, techniques, and monitoring.

Type:

This chapter of a larger management manual covers riparian restoration, outlining suggested riparian restoration techniques. Additional topics include monitoring strategies, adaptive management, and regulatory consideration.

The authors lay out a simple framework for planning and installing riparian restoration projects. With a focus on maintenance, other topics covered include design considerations and planting in developed environments.

Held in San Diego, this two-day in-person training teaches participants the fundamentals of arid wetland restoration site selection, planning, and installation. The class takes field trips to successful restoration projects in the region in addition to identifying common mistakes.

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Written for technicians restoring riparian ecosystems, this guide overviews the design of riparian restoration projects for areas that are impacted by recreation. Topics covered include pest management, monitoring, planting techniques, and managing human impacts.