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Partnerships
EPA's scientists in the Ecosystem Services Research Program establish informal and formal partnerships to ensure the best scientific tools and information are developed for use in making decisions about ecosystem services. The partnerships are being developed with states, communities, tribes, universities, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and others.
Scientists collaborate by sharing information, conducting joint research and identifying research issues. Partnerships are beneficial in that they provide an opportunity for outside input into the planning and development of EPA science and help scientists identify the needs of those who use the science products. They also enable scientists to collaborate with colleagues in other organizations on research projects.
Formal partnerships have been formed with the following organizations:
Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont.
The partnership with Gund Institute for Ecological Economics will lead to the development of information and tools that include the value of ecosystem services in decision-making by communities, states, regions and tribes. One area of collaboration will be to apply a suite of computer models developed by the Gund Institute to research projects planned by EPA to study ecosystem services.Contact: John M. Johnston, 706-355-8153, Johnston.johnM@epa.gov.
National Geographic Society
The collaboration will lead to the development of better ways to map ecosystem services and communicate these maps to the public. Researchers will create maps displaying those services to help decision makers in communities, states, regions, and tribes understand the total costs and benefits of proposed land uses. The collaboration will enhance shared interests in educating the public about the variety of ecosystem services in the U.S.Contact: Anne Neale, 919-541-3832, Neale.anne@epa.gov.
The World Resources Institute (WRI)
The partnership will bring the World Resources Institute’s policy expertise and communications power together with EPA’s scientific capabilities to deliver improved science and practical tools to help companies and governments sustain ecosystems and the services they provide.Objectives are to:
- Help government agencies assess and report information on indicators of ecosystem service conditions to track changes
- Assist local and state governments with using ecosystem service information to optimize tradeoffs among services
- Provide tools and information to businesses to improve understanding of ecosystem service management in business decisions
- Support the advancement of ecosystem services research.
Contact: Suzanne Marcy, 703-255-0182, Marcy.suzanne@epa.gov.