The Nature Record
Nature shapes us.
Now it’s our turn to shape what comes next.
A new project. A mission years in the making.
The Nature Record is a national initiative bringing together knowledge, storytelling, and public participation to elevate the role of nature in the U.S.
Our work is rooted in science, guided by communities, and enriched by public participation. We’re led by a diverse, independent team of America’s top scientists, researchers, and practitioners.
Together, we’re creating a clear, accessible picture of nature across the nation and the role it plays in everything from local economies to public health and community resilience.
The Nature Record is designed for people who want to act on knowledge, from local leaders to national policymakers to everyday citizens.
The work is influenced by voices across the country through dozens of public conversations. What's emerging is more than a report; it's a foundation for decision-making, collaboration, and meaningful action.
Our long-term vision is a future where nature is part of every conversation about growth, health, security, and prosperity.
The work underway will include resources for local planning and decision-making, art and storytelling to bring nature’s value to life, and a rigorous national assessment of nature’s condition and contributions.
An Assessment of Nature
We’re leading the first holistic assessment of U.S. lands, waters, and wildlife, and the benefits they provide. Select Chapter.
Chapter 1
Overview
View key findings across all chapters, synthesizing our relationship to nature and pathways for action.
Chapter 2
Equity and Environmental Justice: Setting the Context
An essay on equity and environmental justice in the U.S.
Chapter 3
Frameworks and Approaches to Assessing Nature
The principles and frameworks guiding how we assess nature’s role in people’s lives.
Chapter 4
Bright Spots in Nature
Success stories of people and ecosystems thriving together offer lessons to replicate and scale.
Chapter 5
Connection with Nature
How people experience, value, and sustain their connections to nature across the U.S.
Chapter 6
Marine Ecosystems in the U.S.
Status, trends, and future of the nation’s marine species, habitats, and communities.
Chapter 7
Inland Water Ecosystems of the U.S.
The health, trends, and risks facing lakes, rivers, wetlands, and freshwater ecosystems.
Chapter 8
Terrestrial Ecosystems of the U.S.
How U.S. habitats and species are changing, and what it means for people and landscapes.
Chapter 9
Drivers of Change
The major forces reshaping nature and what integrated responses are needed.
Chapter 10
Nature and Climate Change
How climate change is transforming ecosystems and how nature can help reduce risks.
Chapter 11
Culture and Relationships with Nature
The cultural, spiritual, and social values of nature, and inequities in access and recognition.
Chapter 12
Nature and the Economy
How nature underpins the U.S. economy and why its value must be better accounted for.
Chapter 13
Health and Well-Being
How access to healthy ecosystems supports physical, mental, and community health.
Chapter 14
Risk, Resilience, and Security
How nature reduces risks and supports national security and resilience in the face of disasters.
Chapter 15
Place-Based Opportunities for Nature
Practical steps to create a future where people and nature thrive together.
We believe in the power of nature to connect us. Our independent team invites people across the country to contribute to what we know about nature.
Nature shapes everything we care about, from the water we drink to the security of our communities. When we understand these connections, we can make better decisions and build a future where people and places thrive.
Our work begins with a first‑of‑its‑kind national assessment of U.S. lands, waters, and wildlife, paired with tools and stories to help communities put that knowledge to work.
The Nature Record is designed to evolve with input from people of all backgrounds, ensuring nature is woven into everyday decisions and shared priorities.
01
Staff
Our core team leads the initiative’s coordination and operations.
02
Secretariat
Our primary decision-making body ensures the work remains rigorous, credible, and impactful.
03
Chapter Leads and Partners
Experts and practitioners guide the work of individual chapters, connecting systems and sectors to tell the full story of nature’s role in the U.S.
Shared responsibility begins with a shared understanding, rooted in science, Indigenous Knowledge, and local wisdom.
The Nature Record is built with the people and places it serves, not just for them. Whether you’re a scientist, a storyteller, a student, or an advocate for nature’s future, we welcome your perspective.
Have questions about partnering, reviewing content, sharing success stories, or simply want to say hello? We’d love to hear from you.