NESP is an information and knowledge exchange hub for policy work and research on ecosystem services and nature-based solutions.
The National Ecosystem Services Partnership (NESP) engages both public and private individuals and organizations to enhance collaboration within the ecosystem services community, including on nature-based solutions. NESP aims to strengthen coordination of policy, market implementation, and research at the national level. The partnership is an initiative of Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and was developed with support from the US Environmental Protection Agency and donations of expertise and time from many public and private institutions.
NESP releases a quarterly newsletter that shares up-to-date ecosystem services and nature-based solutions research, implementation examples, events and jobs. Sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Key NESP Resources
- NESP webinar series: NESP hosts periodic webinars to disseminate innovative ecosystem services research and implementation practices. A special series focused on nature-based solutions policy issues. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about upcoming webinars, and check out past webinar presentations.
- FRMES Guidebook: The Federal Resource Management and Ecosystem Services (FRMES) guidebook serves as a training manual that helps to streamline the management of ecosystem services. With the guidebook, resource managers can create clear, workable plans that prioritize the work needed to establish and maintain resilient communities throughout the country.
- NESP resource page: Useful tools, research papers, and examples to support consideration of ecosystem services in decision making and monitoring.
- Ecosystem Services Toolkit: Online portal that shares common ecosystem service conceptual models (ESCMs), ecosystem services metrics resources, ecosystem education and outreach materials, and case studies.
- Ecosystem Services Mapping Examples: See products associated with a project that is mapping ecosystem services across the southeastern United States. Services mapped include wild pollination, recreational birding, access to open space for recreation, and water purification. Products include detailed methods and downloadable maps. Also find a series of dashboards that show how ecosystem services can be mapped on natural and working lands at a state level, as well as a series of resources that show how ecosystem services mapping can inform state-level natural and working lands action plans.
- Ecosystem Services Data and Modeling: A 2017 working paper describes the ecological and social data and models available for quantifying the production and value of many ecosystem services across the United States. A related 2022 report identifies datasets that could be used to track the status and trends of ecosystem services on natural and working lands over time.
