Where is the Money? -- Funding Based on Ecosystem Services

Transcription

1 Where is the Money? -- Funding Based on Ecosystem Services 6th Annual Sustainable Raritan River Conference June 13, Photo credit: Qizhong Guo

2 Outline Ecosystem services with potential for new funding sources Fresh water / water purification Recreation Spiritual and religious Professional help on ecosystem assessments More established Less established Next Steps 2

3 Modified with additions from the Millennium Assessment 3

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5 Public Values Clean Drinking Water 84% of people are willing to pay more or the same for protection for drinking water Average willingness-topay for watershed protection in Catawba River Basin in North Carolina = $139/yr Source: Burke,

6 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Zero percent interest loan for 20 years New Jersey portion: ~$160 million Municipalities and counties are eligible Has been used in other states for land protection 6

7 New York City Beneficiary-Pay Watershed Protection NYC has one of the best drinking water in the country 98% of water is unfiltered $8.5 billion -- water filtration plant $1.5 billion -- protecting forests in watershed and improving farming practice Funding comes from water and sewer rates 7

8 Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative Upper Neuse basin provides drinking water for the City of Raleigh, North Carolina. Watershed protection fees ~40 cents per month per household of Raleigh The contribution from Raleigh vs. the total cost of land protected through the Initiative: 1:7 High leverage for Raleigh! 8

9 Government NGO Partnership 9

10 Funding Sources for Watershed Protection 10

11 Watershed Protection Revenue Scenario Model 11

12 Sharing a Larger Slice of the Pie Private Contributions by Type of Recipient Organization Source: Giving USA 2012 Teaming up with other causes can greatly increase the funding to the environment! 12

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14 Health Benefits from Access to Parks and Trails An example from Jefferson, Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham found that 34% of Jefferson County residents are physically inactive 58% of physically inactive said they would use it 3 or 4 times per week if they had access to a nice, safe place to walk and bike Based upon a CDC-determined per capita direct medical savings of $635 per year, total savings could be $21,000,000 - $43,000,000 per year for Jefferson County. 14

15 Potential Funding Sources Government health agencies Dept. of Health of Jefferson County, Alabama funded a greenway master plan calling for 200 miles of shared-use greenways and trails Fund for a Healthy Maine supports open space, trails, and education on local farms Corporations wellness funding Walmart in Androscoggin, Maine 15

16 Even More Innovative Funding Sources Health-focused philanthropic funders Medical insurance companies? Healthier customers Lower medical cost Lower premium Hospitals? 16

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18 Not to hurt the creatures, brethren, is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them wherever they require it. Saint Francis of Assisi 18 Photo credit: envirocivil.com

19 Organizations Working on Religion and Conservation Green Faith Interfaith Partners for the Environment Based in Highland, NJ Hazon Jewish Inspiration. Sustainable Communities. Community supported agriculture in New York Alliance of Religions and Conservation Works internationally 19

20 Professional Help on Ecosystem Assessments Environmental Finance Centers (EFCs) Ten through out the country EFC at Syracuse University covers NJ Universities NGOs The Trust for Public Land Headwaters Economics Institute for Sustainable Communities 20

21 Next Steps Assess ecosystem services in your area Photo credit: 21

22 Build New Partnerships Photo credit: 22

23 Educate Your Community and Leaders with New Partners Photo credit: 23

24 Go for the Big Bucks! Photo credit: 24

25 Thank you! Nina Chen, Ph.D. Director of Conservation Investments The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey 25