[Pollinator] EPA Teams up with the National Geographic Society and World Resources Institute to Map Ecosystem Services, Develop Enhanced Decision-Making Tools

[Jennifer Tsang]

Thanks to Ellen Gabel for forwarding the below.


Subject: EPA Office of Public Liaison Notice


For Immediate Release:
October 29, 2008

EPA Teams up with the National Geographic Society and World Resources
Institute to Map Ecosystem Services, Develop Enhanced Decision-Making
Tools

Contact Information:
U.S. EPA - Ann Brown, 919 541 7818, or brown.ann at epa.gov
National Geographic Society - Frank Biasi, 202-857-7248, or
fbiasi at ngs.org
World Resources Institute - Craig Hanson, 202 729-7624, or
craig.hanson at wri.org

(Washington, DC - October 29, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is collaborating with the National Geographic Society and
the World Resources Institute to develop tools that will help to fully
account for the value of ecosystem services.  Ecosystem services are the
goods and services people obtain from natural systems.  These benefits
include clean air and water, erosion and flood control, soil enrichment,
food, and fiber.

EPA's Ecological Research Program in the Office of Research and
Development will collaborate with the National Geographic Society to
develop 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.

EPA will also team with the World Resources Institute to gain a better
understanding of the ways in which decision makers in the private and
public sectors use tools and information on ecosystem services.  As part
of the partnership, EPA scientists will share scientific tools to help
businesses quantify ecosystem services and develop economic and
environmental solutions.

 "These partnerships will help transform the way we respond to
environmental issues by illuminating the links between our own actions
and the impacts on nature's services," said George Gray, assistant
administrator for EPA's Office of Research and Development. "With this
improved understanding, decision makers can better plan for a healthy,
sustainable future."

EPA relies on quality science as the basis for sound policy and
decision-making. EPA's laboratories and research centers, and EPA's
research grantees, are building the scientific foundation needed to
support the Agency's mission to safeguard human health and the
environment.

For more information:
. EPA's Ecological Research Program: http://www.epa.gov/ecology
. The National Geographic Society: http://www.nationalgeographic.com:
. The World Resources Institute: http://www.wri.org

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