The Power of Partnership

Unlocking Nature’s Value Through Collaboration

November 30, 2017

The Power of Partnership © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy, © Deng Jia, © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy, © Chris Crisman, © Jonathan Grassi, © Ami Vitale, © Kevin Arnold

"Does cooperation actually lead to a better environment?"

That’s a central question in the work of Örjan Bodin, a researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. As 2017 draws to a close—a year in which, in many countries, partisan lines hardened and nationalist politicians advocated for a turn inward, away from the global stage—we might ask, “can cooperation lead to a better world?”

As a global conservation organization dedicated to improving the future for people and nature, our answer at The Nature Conservancy is a resounding “yes.” The environmental and development problems we confront today don’t fit neatly within national borders—they don’t even fit within discrete sectors. We see this as an opportunity—a chance to forge new partnerships with other institutions, businesses, governments and communities around the world.

Bodin’s research suggests that collaboration alone won’t solve our problems—success hinges on connecting the right actors in the right kind of networks, with organizing help from "trusted coordinators." Building such networks isn't easy—but the results can make a powerful difference for people and nature.

Looking back at 2017, amidst persistent challenges there is also cause for hope in how collaborative efforts are creating new opportunities for a better future. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite stories.

**Brazil** Aerial view of Jaguari Reservior, part of Brazil's Cantareira water system. © Scott Warren

1. Conserving the Landscapes that Supply Our Water

Who: Government agencies; utilities; food and beverage companies; farmers, landowners and local communities
What: A vehicle to bring water users together to collectively invest in upstream land management and water source protection
Why: Healthy source watersheds are vital to the water security of nearly all cities around the world

**Kentucky** Volunteers plant trees in Louisville, Kentucky. © The Nature Conservancy (Devan King)

2. Planting Trees for Healthier Cities

Who: Medical researchers, city agencies and environmental NGOs
What: A 5-year experiment to evaluate the health benefits of urban trees
Why: An emerging body of research shows that urban trees are a cost-effective solution to reduce air pollution and support better health for city residents

**California** Conservation Farms and Ranches in Staten Island, California. © Jennifer Davidson/tandemstock.com for The Nature Conservancy

3. Smarter Farming for a Healthier Planet

Who: Farmers and landowners; food and commodity companies; soil scientists; policy makers
What: Collaborations that advance knowledge of soil science and promote soil health and nutrient management on farms
Why: Improved soil management can increase farmers' yields while also reducing carbon emissions and nutrient runoff

**Drone** A team pilots a quad copter drone over a Red Mangrove forest. © Tim Calver

4. Innovating Our Way to a Sustainable Future

Who: Technology companies, venture capitalists, environmental NGOs
What: A business accelerator for technology startups focused on sustainability
Why: Technological innovation will be crucial for taking sustainability solutions to scale

**Canada** Clayoquot Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. © Bryan Evans

5. Nature’s Role in Responding to Climate Change

Who: Farmers and land managers; food and commodity companies, timber and wood companies; NGOs; national and sub-national governments; indigenous communities
What: New research showing how nature can play a bigger role in fighting climate change
Why: Changes in land stewardship can get us more than 1/3 of the way to global climate goals

**Solomon Islands** Members of a turtle tagging project snorkel near Kerehikapa Island. © Tim Calver

6. Making Smart Investments in Coral Reefs

Who: Tourism and travel companies; economic and environmental researchers
What: Innovative research combining academic studies with social media data to quantify the tourism value of coral reef—and thus help the industry make more informed investment decisions to support reef management and conservation
Why: In addition to generating tens of billions of dollars for the global tourism industry, coral reefs promote healthy fisheries and protect coastal communities

The Black River, near Winyah Bay, South Carolina. — **South Carolina** The Black River, near Winyah Bay. © Mac Stone

7. Communities Lead on the Path to Climate Progress

Who: National, regional and local communities around the world
What: On-the-ground projects to help communities adapt to and mitigate climate change
Why: Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face as a planet—but we can make progress through the cumulative efforts of initiatives around the world.