Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission 

The Value of Nature’s Benefits in the St. Louis River Watershed 

In 2014, Earth Economics partnered with Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission to assess the economic benefits of ecosystem services provided by the St. Louis River watershed, estimating their value between $5–$14 billion annually. The watershed's natural capital, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands, offers essential ecosystem services like flood risk reduction, habitat for wildlife, food production, and water quality maintenance.   

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Aleut International Association 

The Economic Benefits of the Proposed St. George Unangan Heritage National Marine Sanctuary 

In 2016, Earth Economics estimated the value of ecosystem services produced by the proposed St. George Unangan Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in Alaska's Bering Sea at $2.8–$3.3 billion each year. Establishing the sanctuary would protect resources, support sustainable fisheries, and boost the local economy through tourism. It would also enhance subsistence harvests, scientific research, and preserve vital marine ecosystems. 

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Upper Columbia United Tribes & Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

The Value of Natural Capital in the Columbia River Basin

In 2017, Earth Economics worked with Upper Columbia United Tribes, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and other partners to develop a report that highlighted the significant economic and cultural value of the Columbia River Basin’s natural assets. The Basin supports forests, salmon runs, and wildlife, providing food, jobs, and recreation, though it has been degraded by dams and development. The report emphasizes the need for ecosystem-based management to recognize the full range of benefits, including the immense cultural value to regional tribes.   

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The Tulalip Tribes

 Nature’s Value in the Skykomish Watershed: An Ecosystem Services Valuation of the Lower Skykomish and Braided Reach   

 Flood Damage in the Skykomish Watershed: A Benefit-Cost Analysis of Interventions in the Lower Skykomish Reach   

In collaboration with the Sustainable Lands Strategy (SLS) and Snohomish County, in 2017, Earth Economics was asked to perform comprehensive analyses addressing floodplain management and ecosystem conservation. This work included two pivotal reports: the first evaluated the economic value of natural resources in the Skykomish Watershed and the second report provided updated valuations for specific areas within the watershed. Together, these reports support SLS’s goals of protecting agricultural land, enhancing fish habitats, and reducing flood risks through a holistic benefit-cost analysis framework. 

Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 

The Food that Grows out of the Water: the Economic Benefits of Wild Rice in Minnesota 

In 2018, Earth Economics studied the significance of wild rice (manoomin) to Ojibwe cultural identity, spiritual traditions, and food security, in collaboration with several organizations. The study also examined wild rice's economic contribution to Minnesota and the impact of habitat loss on the region.   

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Pacific Salmon Commission 

The Sociocultural Significance of Pacific Salmon for Tribes and First Nations 

In 2019, Earth Economics collaborated with the Pacific Salmon Commission to study the significance of Pacific salmon to the cultures and wellbeing of Indigenous communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Insights from 31 Indigenous representatives helped us to highlight the importance of salmon for five key factors: social cohesion, personal health, livelihoods, Indigenous management, and cultural knowledge. The 2021 report emphasized that conserving Pacific salmon is crucial to the integrity of both ecosystems and Indigenous cultures throughout the region.  

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Secwepemcul'ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society

Natural Capital of the Elephant Hill Wildfire Area Valuation of the Ecosystem Services Affected by the 2017 Elephant Hill Fire

In 2020, Earth Economics and partners worked with the Secwepemcúl’ecw Restoration and Stewardship Society (SRSS) to evaluate the economic impact of the 2017 Elephant Hill fire on natural capital. The SRSS, representing eight affected First Nations, identified key ecosystem services like cultural well-being, biodiversity, and climate regulation. The report assigned economic value to these services to emphasize their importance in decision-making. 

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Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation 

Benefit-Cost Analysis of Best Management Practices in the Blue River Watershed of Oklahoma

This 2020 report builds upon an earlier analysis conducted by Earth Economics (Ecosystem Services in the Blue River Watershed), and includes a Benefit-Cost Analyses of five Best Management Practices (BMPs) that would improve ecosystem services provisioning: cover cropping, conservation tilling, grazing management, riparian buffers, and removal of the invasive Eastern Red Cedar. 

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Upper Skagit Tribe 

Red Creek Ecosystem Performance Analysis 

In 2021, Earth Economics was contracted by Tetra Tech, Inc. (who were contracted by the Upper Skagit Indian Tribes) to determine if their Red Creek Channel Improvements Project was cost-effective. We performed a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to measure whether the project's net benefits will equal or exceed the project's cost for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant eligibility. 

Akiptan

Tracking Akitptan’s Impact Using ESG Metrics 

In 2021, Earth Economics partnered with Akiptan, a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) serving Native American producers, to promote prosperity, food sovereignty, and self-reliance. The partnership involved integrating an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework into Akiptan's Strategic Plan to attract impact investment funding and support sustainable agricultural practices. We then summarized the ecological benefits of the farms in their portfolio. 

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Nez Perce Tribe

Wetlands Management Strategies to meet Nez Perce Climate Action Goals: Determining the Role of Carbon Markets

The Nez Perce Tribe is exploring natural carbon solutions to restore soil health, enhance habitat, and sequester greenhouse gases as part of their Climate Change and Mitigation Adaptation Plan. In 2023, Earth Economics partnered with the Tribe to assess the potential for generating wetland-based carbon credits, identifying knowledge gaps and key decisions.   

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