This series of case studies illustrates past or ongoing projects that have used a variety of mechanisms to finance a nature-based solution in the US. Each case study describes the context, the nature-based solution applied, the financial mechanism used, and ideas for how private capital and/or a green bank or community lender could support similar projects.
Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
USDA
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Nature Finance Case Study Library
Case Studies
| Case Study | Document | NBS Type | Financial Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis, MD, City Dock Resiliency Project | Download | Coastal green space | Bond |
| Cape Foulweather Bridge Financing | Download | Land protection | Bridge loan |
| DC Stormwater Retention Credit Trading Program | Download | Urban green stormwater infrastructure | Revolving loan fund |
| Delaware Estuary Mussels for Clean Water | Download | Freshwater mussel reintroduction for improved water quality (supported through a mussel hatchery) | Revolving loan fund |
| Dirt Capital | Download | Regenerative agriculture | Impact investors with repayments from farmers |
| Family Forest Carbon Program | Download | Forest management | Bond (repaid via carbon credit sales) |
| Lookout Slough | Download | Tidal wetland restoration | Pay-for-success model |
| Lyme Timber Conservation Easements | Download | Sustainable timber management and stream restoration | Revolving loan fund |
| Natrx Oyster Reef Restoration Project | Download | Oyster reef | Private company investment in NBS |
| Nisqually Tribe Mashel River Protection | Download | Improved ecological forest management | Revolving loan fund |
| Rhode Island Water Quality Protection Charge Program | Download | Protection of natural lands within watersheds that supply drinking water | State-level water quality protection surcharge of water suppliers |
| Sebago Clean Waters | Download | Forest protection | Water fund model (blended finance) |
| Soil and Water Outcomes Fund | Download | Agricultural practices that enhance water quality and carbon sequestration | Submarket capital |
| Stormwater Smart Ponds | Download | Creation of stormwater ponds to control flooding and pollution | Water quality credits |
| The Cumberland Forest Project | Download | Sustainable forest management | Debt and equity investments (repaid via multiple revenue streams, including carbon credits and sustainable timber harvest) |
| The Yuba Project Forest Resilience Bond | Download | Forest restoration | Bond |
| Virridy | Download | Watershed restoration | Carbon credits for avoided water treatment |
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