Introduction
Natural Climate Solutions, also called Nature-Based Solutions, are actions that reduce emissions and increase carbon storage in forests, farms, grasslands and wetlands, while providing a host of additional benefits for people and the environment.
Practices that could be included are actions like encouraging farming techniques that retain carbon in the soil, such as planting cover crops; conserving and replanting forests; conserving and restoring coastal wetlands; and reducing the loss of natural areas, planting trees, and providing parks in communities.
Not only do these efforts help address climate change – they can improve water quality, prevent natural disasters like wildfire, drought, and flooding, protect wildlife habitat, and provide opportunities for hiking and fishing. Best of all, these solutions are cost effective, and can often improve local economies.
Below you can explore how people in New York are benefiting from implementing nature-based solutions in their community through a diverse set of resources from USN4C members and others, including blog articles, videos, comprehensive reports, and more.
Blog Articles
Photo Credit: Aleksandr Watson / American Forests
American Forests Article: Rooted ambitions: Nurturing trees and cultivating careers in New York City
Photo by Kevin Keenan
U.S. Nature4Climate/American Farmland Trust Article: Soil Health Success: Mulligan Farm shows that soil health practices can help improve economic performance
American Farmland Trust Article: Innovative Farmers Test ‘Planting Green’ to Further Impacts of Soil Health Practices
- Pew Charitable Trusts Article: The Era of Extreme Heat Is Here: Federal and State Governments Roll Out Strategies to Cope
- U.S. Nature4Climate/The Nature Conservancy Article: Roadmap to a Solar Energy Future on Long Island
Forests:
- The Nature Conservancy Article: The Future Forest: The Appalachians face multiple threats. Scientists are working to boost their adaptability.
- The Nature Conservancy Article: How Federal Funds are Helping Families Revive Their Forests
- National Wildlife Federation Article: A Tremendous Year of Growth for Trees for Wildlife
- National Wildlife Federation Article: Nature-Based Solutions Needed to Combat Appalachia’s Growing Flood Risks
- U.S. Nature4Climate Blog Article: Building a Robust Reforestation Pipeline: Key Takeaways and Recommendations from Interviews with Nursery Managers in the Northeastern United States
- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Nature-based Solutions Interactive Map: New York – Battenkill Home Rivers Initiative
- U.S. Nature4Climate Article: Seeing the City for the Trees
- The Nature Conservancy Press Release: The Nature Conservancy Awards Over $1.2 million To Projects in Northern Appalachian States Through New Grant Program
- Land Trust Alliance & New York Governor’s Office Press Release: NY DEC Announces More Than $1.26 Million in Grants to Land Trusts to Protect Forests Through Conservation Easements
- National Association of Conservation Districts Press Release: NACD Awarded $585,82 U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Grant to Advance Regional Conservation Efforts
- Trust for Public Land Press Release: Trust for Public Land Announces Five Cities for Millions in Focused Urban Canopy Investment in Community Schoolyards
- Land Trust Alliance Press Release: New York Governor Kathy Hochul Announces $1.35 Million Available to Protect New York Forests
- Ecosphere Study: Net carbon sequestration implications of intensified timber harvest in Northeastern U.S. forests
- The Nature Conservancy Press Release: The Nature Conservancy’s Grant Program Supporting Land Trusts and Conservation in New York is Now Accepting Applications
Agriculture:
- American Farmland Trust Article: A Peek at Potential Soil Health System Performance in the Next 50 Years of Climate Change in Four US Cropping Systems
- American Farmland Trust Press Release: AFT Releases New Paper on the Climate Benefits of Agricultural Conservation Easements
- U.S. Nature4Climate/American Farmland Trust Article: The Math is in: Soil Health Practices Produce Real Return on Investment
Wetlands:
- The Nature Conservancy Article: Turning the Tide: A kelp farm run by Shinnecock women is helping to clean the waters off Long Island
- U.S. Nature4Climate Blog Article: Harnessing Blue Carbon: A Natural Solution to Climate Change and Coastal Resilience
- Pew Charitable Trusts Article: States Improve How They Assess Coastal Wetlands’ Impacts to Reduce Climate Pollution
- U.S. Nature4Climate/Pew Charitable Trusts Blog Article: Carbon Captured by Coastal & Ocean Habitats Can Advance States’ Climate Goals: Experts discuss growing ‘blue carbon’ data and resources, and their potential role in policy
Reports
American Farmland Trust Report: New York Forage Crop Soil Health: The Resilience Report
American Farmland Trust Report: Soil Health: The Resilience Reports – Technical Note
The Nature Conservancy in New York Report: Our 2024 Impact Report
Videos & Podcasts
Savanna Institute Perennial AF Podcast: Northeast Agroforestry Road Trip Part II: Steve Gabriel, Eric Toensmeier, and Akiva Silver
Explore More!
A new national survey conducted by U.S. Nature4Climate shows that voters across party lines support natural climate solutions more than ever, suggesting fertile ground for bi-partisan cooperation and consensus-building, opening up new avenues for climate action. Learn more.
Explore U.S. Climate Alliance‘s Climate Policy Database.
Explore Nature4Communities, a resource that shows you how nature-based solutions are critical for your community’s well-being and become a better advocate for their implementation.