Ecosystem Conference

In June of 2011, the American Forest Foundation and the World Resources Institute presented the 4th annual national Ecosystem Markets Conference, Ecosystem Markets: Making Them Work in Madison, Wisconsin. Each year, AFF brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore the state and future of ecosystem markets. 

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, and what are the remaining challenges?

Conference attendees - experts, innovators, and hands-on users of these evolving market models - gather to  learn about recent progress, what can be done now, how these markets will affect family forests and other property owners, and how state and regional efforts can merge into a common model. Past conferences have enabled development and improvement of ecosystem market projects as a direct result of information gathered and relationships strengthened among participants and organizations.

A field tour of operational ecosystem service credit generation projects follows the two-day conference. This is a networking opportunity for hands-on project developers and managers, landowners, policymakers, and academics.

Pictures from 2011 Ecosystem Markets Conference

Stay tuned for information about the 2012 Ecosystem Services Conference.