Ecosystem services are things that nature provides that people value. Those services, such as reduced flooding risk and improvements of air and water quality, can be linked to NRCS’s conservation practices, expanding the effects of conservation well beyond the ranch’s fenceline. A comprehensive approach to assessing the impacts of conservation practices entails an exploration of linkages to ecosystem services and their economic values. This information could help NRCS better align conservation assistance policies and tools with resource concerns and adding ecosystem service values into our conservation planning process could help motivate increased conservation adoption by farmers and ranchers.
In this webinar, presenters Loretta Metz (NRCS, CEAP-Grazing Lands) and Angela Fletcher (Earth Economics) will highlight methods and findings from the recent Earth Economics report, “Accounting for Nature’s Value with USDA-NRCS Conservation Practices in the Central Great Plains 
”. Funded by the Conservation Effects Assessment Project-Grazing Land component, this research develops a methodological framework that links conservation practices to the ecosystem services they impact and values those impacts using benefits transfer. Findings from a pilot study in the Central Great Plains include an estimated increase between $1.7 to $3.5 million/year in ecosystem service value from only two NRCS rangeland practices. In addition to discussing ideas for how to include these services in the planning process, the presenters will also identify data gaps that could be filled through research and other partnerships.
Access the webinar at https://nrcs.adobeconnect.com/ceap2/ a few minutes before the webinar starts.
Closed captioning is available . Add to my calendar.
Each webinar will be recorded and archived for later viewing on this website and the NRCS Conservation Webinar Portal .
Questions? Contact at robert.sowers@usda.gov
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