The recently released report, Accounting for Nature’s Value with Rangeland Conservation Practices in the Western Range and Irrigated Region, describes an evolving analytical framework used to help estimate the ecosystem services value of three key rangeland conservation practices in the 11-state Western Range and Irrigated Region. The project, funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), focuses on Brush Management, Herbaceous Weed Treatment, and Prescribed Grazing and 13 ecosystem service benefits provided by rangelands. The report determines these practices result in an average increase in ecosystem services of $45.70/acre/year on non-federal rangeland and $5.71/acre/year on Bureau of Land Management-managed rangeland.

Two of the report’s authors, Dr. Aaron Lien with the University of Arizona and Angela Fletcher with Earth Economics, discussed the framework and its results and applications during the February 2024 Conservation Outcomes Webinar. This report is a collaboration between the University of Arizona, Earth Economics, and CEAP. 

The webinar recording is now available. Visit the Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series webpage for additional resources, including the presentation slides and a one-pager of related content and publications.