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From a walk through a leafy park to watering flowers in a window box, nature is part of everyone’s life. Across ages, cultures, and geographical regions, nature holds different meanings to each beholder. For this reason, and for the first time ever in the US, there is an assessment of nature, and everyone is invited to participate.
The National Nature Assessment, with a focus on protecting biodiversity, is now underway, according to the NewScientist. This is the biggest assessment of wildlife, water, and land, with a goal of informing lawmakers and researchers on preservation. The assessment will involve participation of local communities and aims to be complete by 2026.
Braiding together stories
The assessment is being led by the US Global Change Research Program (USGRP). Using the data collected, they hope to understand how nature could change in the future and how this may affect lives and the economy. The team is compiling information from academia, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, the Federal Government, and the private sector.
“We need a comprehensive understanding of nature, an assessment enriched by braiding together the stories, scientific findings, Indigenous knowledge, and lived experiences of people from across the US,” according to an essay featured in Journal in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
The assessment will be looking at comments, feedback, and suggestions by people across the globe. Indigenous knowledge will be considered important evidence, according to the Federal Register, the daily journal of the United States Government. The team will be engaging Tribal Nations on various occasions and will be initiating a formal Tribal Consultation.
After compiling their information, the National Nature Assessment will publish in peer-reviewed journals, make reports, and show community-created videos. They aim to disseminate the distinct views of nature, observable changes, and the repercussions of such changes.
Nature and wellbeing
Above all, the goal is to highlight the importance of nature to all. Unfortunately, the US is losing many plant and animal species. In fact, the global abundance of invertebrates has dropped by 68 percent since 1970, according to NewScientist. This assessment hopes to improve upon this by offering tools and direction to conserve biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources, according to the Federal Register.
The committee is also focusing on the connection between nature and well-being. Changes in nature can result in shifts in mental, physical, and social health. They will also take into consideration nature-based options that may help to reduce health risks for all.
Their call for personal observation and wisdom is fundamental. “The NNA is an opportunity to create a new picture of nature in the US – one that reflects the depth and diversity of ways people know, care about, and act on changes in nature. Your input and expertise matter,” explains the Journal in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
The National Nature Assessment may be US-based, but it promises to offer solutions for everyone around the globe. Their reporting could alert many more people about the importance of biodiversity as well as lay down a plan to protect all aspects of nature for the sake of wildlife, health, and the well-being of generations to come.
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