Conservation professionals across the country are looking for innovative strategies to protect and restore ecosystems. One of the most promising is the development of new markets that create value for ecosystems and the services they provide. But many developmental issues remain before ecosystem markets achieve their full potential as a priority conservation tool. In an effort to bring together woodland owners and conservation professionals, the American Forest Foundation hosts an annual conference focused on these very issues.
Official Conference Program | Workshop Presentations | Participant List 2010 Conference – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Using markets to protect and restore ecosystems – and the many services they provide – is gradually becoming a reality. But what are the critical elements for success? What progress has been made? What still needs to be done? What are the remaining challenges?
The Annual Ecosystem Markets Conference convenes the world’s top thought leaders to determine how to drive ecosystem service markets forward. Co-hosted by the
American Forest Foundation (AFF) and the
World Resources Institute (WRI), the 3rd Annual National Ecosystem Markets Conference was held in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina on June 23-24, 2010. Building upon successful conferences in
2008 and
2009, which attracted a total of over 375 attendees from conservation non-profits, federal & state natural resources agencies, academia, the private investment sector, forestry, and private tree farms, the event focused on the challenges and opportunities for increasing the use of market-based approaches for conservation on private lands.
Sessions featured recognized experts and leading innovators in the fields of biodiversity, carbon, water, and other emerging markets. Speakers discussed the current state of the ecosystem marketplace, key success factors and challenges, techniques to encourage landowner participation, and how to develop, replicate and scale projects to create successful place-based ecosystem markets.
This year’s event brought together more than 275 experts, innovators, and hands-on users of ecosystem markets. In less than three years the number of participants attending the Ecosystem Markets Conference has nearly tripled. The conference also brought in approximately 75 speakers prominent in the field who gave presentations on topics including, but certainly not limited to, bundling services and stacking credits, habitat offsets and crediting, demand- and supply-side perspectives, water markets, bringing ecosystem markets to scale and innovative financing opportunities for conservation.
Through raffle ticket sales and charitable contributions, conference participants raised over $1400 for the
Triangle Land Conservancy, a local Raleigh-based land trust. The American Forest Foundation then generously increased that contribution to match last year’s event total of $2500. TLC will use these funds to protect important open space like stream corridors, forests, wildlife habitat, farmland and natural areas in six counties in North Carolina.
Optional Pre-Conference Primer: Ecosystem Markets 101
Geared towards novices to the ecosystem markets concept, this pre-conference primer provides an overview of why ecosystem markets are needed, how they work, and their scope. (Presentation)
Welcome & Introduction by the Co-Hosts
- Tom Martin, President, American Forest Foundation
- John Talberth, Senior Economist, People and Ecosystems Program, World Resources Institute
Opening Address - Jim Salzman, Professor of Law and Environmental Policy, Duke University
With his broad scholarship in the legal and institutional issues surrounding ecosystem market development, Jim Salzman will discuss the trajectory and opportunities for market development. (
Presentation)
Keynote Address
Denise Knight will discuss The Coca-Cola Company's water conservation goal to return to communities and nature an amount equivalent to water used in beverages and their production. Drawing from her experience leading the Company's "Replenish" efforts, she will offer valuable insights on how these activities help conserve ecosystem services. (
Presentation)
Plenary Session 1. The Current State of Ecosystem Markets -
Where have we come and where are we going? A review of the progress, lessons, opportunities, and challenges for market-based conservation. (
Abstract |
Presentation)
Plenary Session 2. Making Federal, State, and Local Policies Relevant to Ecosystem Market Design
- Sara Vickerman, Senior Director of Biodiversity Partnerships, Defenders of Wildlife
"A Snapshot of Oregon's Policy Dialogue on Ecosystem Services and Markets (Abstract | Presentation) - Michael Beck, San Diego Director, Endangered Habitats League and Conservancy
"The Cost and Strategy for Saving Ecosystems in Southern California" (Abstract) - Garrett Johnson, Director of Federal Affairs, Pacific Forest Trust
"Getting to Scale" (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Jerry Greenberg, Senior Vice President of Conservation Solutions, American Forest Foundation
This session will cover the regulatory and policy considerations and obstacles inherent in making ecosystem markets a reality, with examples from the local, state, and federal levels. Speakers will address the role of pre-compliance markets, integration of regulatory and incentive-based programs, and the importance of strategic investments in landscape-scale projects.
1st Set of Concurrent Breakout Groups
Breakout 1A. Landowner Engagement
- Scott Swinton, Professor of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University
"What Motivates Farmer Participation in a PES Program for Working Cropland?" (Abstract | Presentation) - Hannah Gosnell, Assistant Professor Geography, Oregon State University
"Understanding and Enhancing Agricultural Landowners' Role in Climate Change Mitigation" (Abstract | Presentation) - Aaron Jenkins, Associate in Research for Economic Analysis, Duke University
"Conservation and Management Decisions of Farm Operators in Eastern North Carolina" (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Frank Casey, Senior Director for the Conservation Economics and Finance Program, Defenders of Wildlife
Supply-side considerations: The feasibility of PES and markets from the agricultural, ranching and forestry landowner perspectives, and implications for market and policy development.
Breakout 1B. Habitat Offsets and Crediting
- Todd Gartner, Manager of Conservation Incentives, American Forest Foundation
"Voluntary Gopher Tortoise Habitat Crediting System" (Abstract | Presentation) - Nancy Natoli, Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative Coordinator, U.S. Secretary of Defense
"Ecosystem Services as a Military Training Enabler" (Presentation) - Randy Wilgis, President, Environmental Banc and Exchange
"Conservation Banking: Dealing with the Conflict Between Economic Development and the Protection of Listed Species" (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Becca Madsen, Biodiversity Program Manager, Ecosystem Marketplace (Presentation)
Examples from the species and habitat mitigation sector, illustrating the progress and interplay between conservation banking, habitat credit trading and credit purchaser perspectives.
Breakout 1C. Engaging the Private Sector in Ecosystem Markets
- John Campagna, Principal, Restore Capital
"Encouraging Private Investment" (Abstract | Presentation) - Jerry McCrain, Vice President and District Director, PBS&J
"Mitigation Bank Feasibility Assessments: Are You Doing Your Due Diligence?" (Abstract | Presentation) - Georges Howard, President and Co-Founder, Restoration Systems, LLC
"Encouraging Private Investment" (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Ben Guillon, Manager, Acquisitions Eco Products, New Forests
Ecosystem markets from the perspective of the private investment sector: What needs to be included in the business case for investors to invest and help bring markets to scale?
Breakout 1D. Urban Greening through an Ecosystem Service Lens
- Scott Maco, Manager of Ecosystem Services, Davey Tree Expert Company
"The i-Tree Suite of Tools: Quantifying the Benefits of Urban Trees" (Abstract | Presentation) - Dudley Hartel, Center Manager, Urban Forestry South, USDA Forest Service
"Using i-Tree Eco to Evaluate Urban Ecosystem Services in the Southern United States" (Abstract | Presentation) - Cindy Blain, Greenprint Relations Director, Sacramento Tree Foundation
"Maximizing the Value Proposition for Urban Trees: Model Programs for Energy Savings and Air Quality Improvements" (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Al Todd, Assistant Director of Ecosystem Services & Markets, USDA Forest Service
An examination of the trends, challenges and opportunities in employing ecosystem-based approaches to landscape restoration in urban contexts.
2nd Set of Concurrent Breakout Groups
Breakout 2A. The Tools and Processes of the Credit Lifecycle
- James Remuzzi, President, Sustainable Solutions, LLC
- Kevin Halsey, Senior Policy Analyst, Parametrix
- Moderated by Joanna Silver, Vice President and Head of Ecosystem Markets, Markit Environmental Registry
As a prelude to Track A of the World Cafe, this panel will set the scene for the credit lifecycle, focusing specifically on some of the currently available tools designed to facilitate the creation and transacting of an environmental markets credit in a more efficient and transparent way. (Presentation)
Breakout 2B. Forest Carbon Projects Take Root in the South
- Andrew Goldberg, Director of Corporate Engagement, Dogwood Alliance
"Carbon Canopy: Combining Quality Offsets and FSC Forestry for Added Value to Landowners and Increased Forest Conservation for the Rest of Us" (Abstract | Presentation) - Constance Best, CO-CEO, Pacific Forest Trust
"Forest Carbon Projects: The Current State of Policy, Politics and Projects" (Abstract | Presentation) - Roger Williams, Vice President, Blue Source, LLC
"Developing, Marketing and Generating Revenue from Forest Carbon Projects in the South" (Abstract | Presentation)
Progress and lessons learned related to voluntary forest carbon projects in the U.S., with a specific focus on the Southern region.
Breakout 2C. Bundling Services and Stacking Credits
- Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute
"Principles for Stacking Payments for Ecosystem Services" (Abstract | Presentation) - Jim Klang, Senior Project Engineer, Kieser & Associates, LLC
"Stacking Ecosystem Service Credits in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Brad Gentry, Professor and Director, Center for Business and the Environment, Yale University
A discussion of multi-credit trading platforms: Does credit stacking result in real conservation offsets, or is it simply a case of "double dipping?" If only one ecosystem value can be monetized, will ecosystem services ever be able to compete?
3rd Set of Concurrent Breakout Groups
Breakout 3A. Scaling Up Existing and Emerging Incentive Programs for the Southern United States
- Dylan Jenkins, Director of Forest Conservation, The Nature Conservancy - Pennsylvania
"Working Woodlands: Getting the Value Proposition Right for Landowners" (Abstract | Presentation) - Kent Gilges, Managing Member, Conservation Forestry, LLC
"A Private Equity View of Incentive Programs for Timberland" (Abstract) - Mike McKee, Professor and Program Director of Experimental Economics, Appalachian State University
"All Together Now: Using Incentives to Encourage Forest Preservation Activity" (Abstract) - Moderated by John Talberth, Senior Economist, People and Ecosystems Program, World Resources Institute
Between an aging landowner demographic and a slumping timber market, southern forests have emerged as a promising context for market-based solutions. This session will discuss innovative incentives and markets aimed at the conservation and sustainable management of southern forests.
Breakout 3B. PES Related to Source Water Protection and Water Use
- John Gunn, Senior Program Leader of the Natural Capital Initiative, Manomet Center for Conservation
"Bundling Ecosystem Service Values and Market Opportunities on Private Forest Lands to Protect Public Drinking Water Supplies in Threatened Watersheds" (Abstract | Presentation) - Eric Sprague, Program Director for Market-Based Solutions, Pinchot Institute for Conservation
"The Delaware River Clean Water Fund: New Funding Approaches for Protecting Private Forests" (Abstract) - Lisa Creasman, Conservation Projects Director, Conservation Trust for North Carolina
"Connecting Water Suppliers and Consumers through Land Conservation in NC's Upper Neuse River Basin (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Peter Stangel, Vice President, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Inc.
A discussion of lessons learned in implementing PES schemes geared to protect source watersheds including connecting upstream and downstream users and grey vs. green infrastructure investments.
Breakout 3C. Demand-Side Perspective
An examination of ecosystem markets from the perspective of the demand-side, exploring the dynamic between regulators and buyers in creating demand around credits.
4th Set of Concurrent Breakout Groups
Breakout 4A. Bringing Ecosystem Products to Market from Start to Finish: Willamette Partnership & The Freshwater Trust
- David Primozich, Director of Ecosystem Services, The Freshwater Trust
- Mac Martin, Water Resource Analyst, Willamette Partnership
A landscape-level case study that looks at the process of bringing ecosystem products to market from start-to-finish in Oregon’s Willamette basin, and how they can be tied to a multi-credit platform for the enhancement of ecosystem services. (Abstract)
Breakout 4B. The State and Future of Water Quality Trading Markets
- George Kelly, Principal, Environmental Banc and Exchange, LLC
"Nutrient Offsets in the Neuse River, North Carolina" (Abstract) - Jeremy Sokulsky, Founder and President, Environmental Incentives, LLC
"Lake Clarity Crediting Program for Lake Tahoe: Innovations in Stormwater Regulation, Public Funds Accounting and Science Integration (Abstract | Presentation) - Richard Pritzlaff, Chief Executive Officer, Chesapeake EcoFinance Company, LLC
"The Value of Voluntary Markets" (Abstract | Presentation) - Moderated by Cy Jones, Senior Associate in the People and Ecosystems Program, World Resources Institute
Case studies from the water quality trading sector, illustrating progress and lessons learned related to water quality markets from across the country.
Breakout 4C. Innovative Financing Opportunities
- Pat O'Connell, President, Evergreen Conservation Finance
"Financing Habitat Mitigation Endowments in the Bond Market" (Abstract | Presentation) - Ray Hartwell, Director, Ecosystem Economics, LLC
"Conservation Finance in Ecosystem Markets: Where We Stand" (Abstract | Presentation) - Michael Van Patten, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Mission Markets, Inc.
"Alternative Environmental Finance Mechanisms" (Abstract | Presentation) - Josh Donlan, Executive Director, Advanced Conservation Strategies
"Outcome-Based Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation" (Abstract | Presentation)
Developing innovative financing opportunities, such as bonds, tax incentives, derivatives, and insurance pools to drive market-based approaches and trump some of the obstacles preventing their widespread use.
Closing Keynote Address: "The Language of Nature's Benefits: Communicating about 'Ecosystem Services'"
- Carol Baudler, Director of Conservation Campaigns, The Nature Conservancy
- Dave Metz, Partner, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates
Market tools and methodologies are critical to market success. Yet, the language we use to describe these developments is equally important. The future of ecosystem markets depends largely on our ability to strategically communicate the benefits of nature to policy makers, landowners, and the public at large. Carl Baudler and Dave Metz will discuss some of the key outcomes from new national public opinion research to help us create a more coherent, relevant and effective narrative underlying "ecosystem services." (Abstract | Presentation)
Plenary Session 3. Role of the USDA Office of Environmental Markets
- Sally Collins, Director of USDA Office of Environmental Markets (OEM), & OEM Staff
A discussion of the role of OEM in catalyzing uniform standards and market infrastructure in an effort to bring ecosystem markets to scale. (
Abstract)
The World Cafe: An Introduction
- Todd Gartner, Manager of Conservation Incentives, American Forest Foundation
- Joanna Silver, Vice President and Head of Ecosystem Markets, Markit Environmental Registry
New to the Ecosystem Markets Conference, the World Cafe is an interactive forum where attendees will explore an array of emerging questions and tools central to ecosystem market development. The forum will be comprised of two tracks: Lifecycle of a Credit & Emerging Issues.
The Lifecycle of a Credit track will walk participants through the tools and processes that characterize each stage of the credit lifecycle, from baseline assessments and credit eligibility, to credit issuance and transaction tracking. Through this simulation of the entire trajectory of an ecosystem market transaction, participants will emerge with a clearer sense of the "big picture" - understanding how market tools and processes link together, as well as the areas where linkages need to be strengthened.
The Emerging Issues track will offer participants the opportunity to engage in conversations related to some of the most critical questions facing ecosystem markets today, spanning everything from landowner engagement and southern forest incentives, to private investment and financing.
By engaging ecosystem market novices and experts alike, these World Cafe discussions will work to harness the collective intelligence of the conference, yielding novel outcomes and productive insights that will help drive ecosystem markets forward.
World Cafe Track A: The Lifecycle of a Credit
1st Stage: Baseline Assessments and Eligibility
2nd Stage: Project Design and Development
3rd Stage: Credit Estimation and Calculation Tools
- NRCS's Nutrient Trading Tool & WRI's Nutrientnet (Abstract)
Mindy Selman, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute
Ali Saleh, Associate Director of the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research
4th Stage: Project Registration, Credit Issuance and Transaction Tracking
- Conservation Registry (Abstract)
Ty Montgomery, Managing Director, The Other Firm - Markit Environmental Registry (Abstract)
Joanna Silver, Vice President and Head of Ecosystem Markets, Markit Environmental Registry
5th Stage: Marketplaces for Transacting
- Mission Markets Earth (Abstract)
Michael Van Patten, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Mission Markets, Inc. - Bay Bank Marketplace (Abstract)
Eric Sprague, Program Director for Market-Based Solutions, Pinchot Institute for Conservation
6th Stage: Demand-side Tools
- Landscape Auction (Abstract)
Daan Wensing, Director of IBM Department of the Expertise Centre Triple E
Mary Russ, Executive Director, White River Partnership
During this sneak-peek of the Landscape Auction mechanism, participants were invited to bid on landscape elements that included: the restoration of a riparian buffer, chestnut-cheeked warbler habitat, paying for a field trip for children to visit nature.
World Cafe Track B: Emerging Issues
- What is the role that voluntary markets play in setting the stage for future regulatory standards and in providing seed financing to nascent markets? (Abstract)
Richard Pritzlaff, Chief Executive Officer, Chesapeake EcoFinance Company, LLC
Richard Pace, Chief Operating Officer, Chesapeake EcoFinance Company, LLC - What are the opportunities for water rights markets in the Western United States? (Abstract)
Chris Corbin, Founder, Lotic Water Marketing, LLC - Shifting the paradigm: How do tax and valuation practices impact ecosystem service markets? (Abstract)
Anita Bahe, Owner and Principal, Evolution SE, LLC - How can the private equity and investment sector drive market-based approaches to conservation? (Abstract)
Jack Davis, Partner and Co-Founder, EKO Asset Management Partners, Inc. - How can we further engage landowners to participate in innovative ecosystem markets? (Abstract)
Josh Parrish, Director of Conservation Finance, The Nature Conservancy - What is the current state of carbon finance opportunities as they relate to agriculture? (Abstract)
Michael Coren, Forestry and Carbon Markets Specialist, Climate Focus - How do TIMOs & REITs fit in the ecosystem markets equation? (Abstract)
Allison Welde, Director of Conservation Partnerships and Communications, Sustainable Forestry Initiative - Clean water state revolving funds: Accessing $70 billion of low-interest loans repayable from sale of ecosystem service credits (Abstract)
Daniel Patrick O'Connell, President, Evergreen Conservation Finance - Bioenergy and Ecosystem Service Markets: Teammates or Competitors? (Abstract)
Will McDow, Manager of Southeast Center for Conservation Incentives
Plenary Session 4. Filling the Gaps and Seizing Opportunities
- David Primozich, Director of Ecosystem Services, The Freshwater Trust
- Al Todd, Assistant Director of Ecosystem Services & Markets, USDA Forest Service
- Joanna Silver, Vice President and Head of Ecosystem Markets, Markit Environmental Registry
- Pat Coady, Senior Advisor & Vice Chairman, Coady Diemar Partners
- Becky Allee, Senior Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This concluding session will build upon the in-depth analyses of the last two days to offer a platform for ongoing dialogue and priorities for moving forward. We will hear from some of the leading experts to identify the chief opportunities that lie in ecosystem market development.
Landscape Auction - Daan Wensing, Director, BM Department of the Expertise Centre Triple E
- Mary Russ, Executive Director, White River Partnership
Triple E and White River Partnership are joining forces to offer a preview of the first Landscape Auction to occur on U.S. soil. Landscape Auctions are events in which individuals, community organizations, and businesses bid for diversity and a host of different landscape elements. These elements may range from simple features such as restored recreation trails and historic structures, to more complex aggregates of ecosystem services such as the water retention of a forest or the restoration of a watershed.
The Dutch firm Triple E developed the concept of a Landscape Auction to address the shortage of capital to sufficiently protect diversity on the one hand, and the willingness of others to contribute to safeguarding our natural environment on the other. Landscape Auctions have been successfully introduced to the Netherlands and other European countries, and have targeted both local and international landscape elements. This concept is now making its debut in the United States, with the White River Partnership hosting a Landscape Auction in Vermont on August 14, 2010.
During this sneak-peek of the Landscape Auction mechanism, participants were invited to bid on landscape elements that included: the restoration of a riparian buffer.
Optional Post-Conference Meeting: The Community of Practice (CoP) - Al Todd, Assistant Director of Ecosystem Services and Markets, USDA Forest Service
- Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute
- Moderated by Ryan Atwell, AAAS Fellow, USDA Office of Environmental Markets
Open to all conference participants, this meeting will feature a network of organizations and agencies from across the country that are actively involved in the development of local and regional market-based strategies and tools for ecosystem services. The peer-to-peer communication, learning, and coordination that will take place during this session will result in a greater push for the shared market terminology, approaches, metrics, tools and guidelines for market operation. This sharing will also lead to new ideas and innovations, ultimately helping make ecosystem markets a widespread reality. The CoP meeting will focus on linking the traditionally practitioner-based dialogue with EPA’s
National Ecosystem Services Partnership (NPES) and USGS’
A Community on Ecosystem Services (ACES) efforts. (
Presentation)
Official Conference Program | Workshop Presentations | Participant List
PAST CONFERENCES: 2009 Conference – Portland, Oregon To advance the creation of ecosystem markets, the American Foundation and Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) co-hosted a national leadership conference in the summer of 2009.
Learn what 200 experts had to say about ecosystem markets. 2008 Workshop – Ellicot City, Maryland The inaugural market-based conservation incentives workshop was held in Ellicot City, Maryland and drew over 100 participants. The summary of the workshop with notes, speeches, audio recordings, and presentations from the two-day event can be found
here.
