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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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High-level reference aimed at a general audience interested in wetland restoration. Useful information on site characteristics that increase or reduce suitability for wetland restoration.

Relevant phase:

This report summarizes the NBS managers in cities across teh US used to solve their unique green infrastructure challenges, the reasoning for selecting these solutions, and outcomes when applicable. It includes a repository of projets readers can find EPA reports on categorized by which step of the implementation process they may be most pertient to.

Designed to aid specialists with coral restoration, this guide describes procedures associated with asexual and sexual coral rearing techniques. The authors also weigh the trade-offs of different coral gardening methods and discuss coral fragmentation.

NBS Strategies:

Provides guidance on implementing urban tree planting projects from start to finish.

NBS Strategies:

The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit is a website designed to help people find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience. It includes 600+ tools, 250+ case studies, regional content, trainings/webinars, a glossary of resilience terms, and lets users navigate based off of topic, hazard, asset and region. It also includes a 'Steps to Reislience' framework that can be used to identify and manage climate risk(s) and a funding section for resilience-specific government funding prorgams .

This tool kit provides information on developing an urban forest management plan.

NBS Strategies:

Provides a more user-friendly adaptation of The Sustainable Urban Forest: A Step-by-Step Approach (Leff 2016). This is a full-service resource for all the guides, case studies, and research needed for an urban forestry project.

NBS Strategies:

Overview of the process of urban tree canopy assessment, including best practices and additional resources.

NBS Strategies:

This manual helps managers determine the tree planting specifications for an urban reforestation project.

NBS Strategies:

This resource provides information on training opportunities within the DOI to inform invasive species management.

This resource provides information on training opportunities within the DOI to inform invasive species management.

This document compiles knowledge about dam removal design, planning, and monitoring. This resource also provides case studies of successful dam removal projects and their associa.

Guide to the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of wetland restoration and enhancement. Also includes methods for assessing wetland function based on hydrogeomorphic principles.

This interactive map provides information on plant hardiness zone, informing managers about what species to plant.

Relevant phase:
NBS Strategies:

Thin layer placement is a tool used in many restoration projects to replace natural accretion processes or make microtopographic alterations. Additional topics covered include case studies, monitoring, site suitability and site surveys.

NBS Strategies:

EPA’s CRWU initiative provides drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater (water sector) utilities with practical tools, training, and technical assistance to increase system resilience to near- and longer-term weather variability. This site links to several tools useful for NBS projects, including climate risk assessment guides, streamflow projection maps, a snowpack projection map, and webinars/trainings that may help inform water utility managers on green alternatives to standard operating. 

Relevant phase:

This site includes a series of tools users can employ to address climate change adaptation issues in response to air quality, water management, waste management and emergency response, public health, and adaption planning considerations. These span from knowledge documents, land use planning tools, storm surge freqeuncy maps, to flood resiliency checklists. 

Relevant phase:

Four-day online course on planning, designing, and constructing a functional wetland.

Relevant phase:
NBS Strategies:

This guide covers all aspects of monitoring protocols for wetlands, including baseline data requirements and qualities to monitor for. The authors also discuss how to align monitoring operations with the goals of the project.

NBS Strategies:

This guide provides details on placement and selection of appropriate types of WRCS.