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 Texas 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: Lucie McCormick / American Forests
American Forests Magazine Article: Shade for Survival
Photo: Lindsey Richards, AFT
American Farmland Trust Article: Addressing Gulf Coast Ecological Concerns Through Best Management Practices and Conservation Practices
- The Nature Conservancy Article: How We Work with Fire in Texas
- Land Trust Alliance Article: USDA Invests $1.5 Billion in Climate Solutions and Conservation
- SCIENCE: Environmental Defense Fund Article: New Research Could Help Resource Managers Improve the Health and Resilience of the Mississippi River Basin
- Land Trust Alliance Article: This Federal Program is Funding Land Trust Conservation Efforts Across the Country
- Hispanic Access Foundation In the News (Latin Times): Latinos Face Disproportionately Higher Risk of Flooding in the U.S.; Here’s Why.
Forests:
- American Forests Article: A Tale of Two Cities
- American Forests Article: Of Thorns and Claws: Returning Forests to Texas’ ‘Magic Valley’
- The Nature Conservancy Article: Ensuring a Legacy of Longleaf
- U.S. Nature4Climate/American Forests Article: Gisel Garza: Seed Hunter
- USDA Forest Service Fact Sheet: Forest Legacy 2024 Funded Projects
- SCIENCE: Geoplatform.Gov (U.S. Geological Survey): Modeling and Mapping Burn Severity of Prescribed and Wildfires Across the Southeastern United States (2000-2022)
- U.S. Nature4Climate Article: Landowners key to restoring the native forests of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Agriculture:
- The Nature Conservancy Article: Texas Working Lands: Protecting our water, wildlife and way of life.
- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Nature-based Solutions Interactive Map: Texas – Regenerative Ranching at G Bar C Ranch
- U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action Article: Biodiversity and Agriculture
- SCIENCE: Soil Health Institute Article: Maximizing Weed Suppression with Cover Crops in Cotton Production
- Soil Health Institute Fact Sheet: Using Cover Crops as a Weed Suppression Tool in Cotton Production
- Soil Health Institute Fact Sheet: Cover Crop Species Comparison for Weed Suppression in Cotton Production
Wetlands:
- The Nature Conservancy Article: Can Blue Carbon Be a Climate Solution in Texas?
- U.S. Nature4Climate/The Nature Conservancy Article: Mad Island: Fire Restores Prairie on the Texas Gulf Coast
- 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
- Pew Charitable Trusts Article: Change in Federal Protections for Wetlands Poses Resilience Challenge for States
- 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
Hispanic Access Foundation & Headwaters Institute Report (November 2023): Latinos Face Higher Flood Risk Than Other Groups
Center for American Progress Report: Extreme Heat Is More Dangerous for Workers Every Year
The Nature Conservancy Report: 2024 Texas Annual Report
Videos & Podcasts
The Nature Conservancy Video: The Making of a Million: Protecting Nature for Tomorrow’s Texas
The Nature Conservancy Video: In the Balance: The Future of Texas Water
- American Forests Video: Shade for Survival
- The Nature Conservancy Video: From the Fire: A Legacy of Longleaf
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.