Worldwide network to enhance the science, policy and practice of ecosystem services for conservation and sustainable development


ESP connects over 3000 ecosystem services scientists, policy makers and practitioners who work together in more than 40 Working Groups and a growing number of National Networks on all continents. ESP regularly organises World and Regional conferences and provides many Services to further enhance the application of ecosystem services for nature conservation, ecosystem restoration and sustainable management. Partner up with ESP and join in the global effort for the future of our Natural Capital!

Newsfeed

Rudolf de Groot ESP Summer School 2025: Application deadline 25 May

by Categories: News, Upcoming events

Topic: Value Transfer for Ecosystem Service Valuation and Mapping
📅 1–5 September 2025 📍 University of Aveiro, Portugal

The first edition of the Rudolf de Groot ESP Summer School 2025, will provide early-career researchers with theoretical and practical training on value transfer methods for ecosystem service valuation and mapping. With the growing need to integrate nature into economic decision-making, understanding and experience on how to quantify, transfer, and map ecosystem service values is essential for both research and policy applications. Participants will learn to master, use and implement different value transfer methods and strengthen related skills during the Summer School. The work will consist of a combination of seminars, value transfer applications, ecosystem service value mapping, presentations, discussions with peers and several excursions.

[Read more…] about Rudolf de Groot ESP Summer School 2025: Application deadline 25 May

India national network update: Two newspaper publications on PES policies and shifting to clean energy

by Categories: News, Publications

Members of ESP India were featured in two recent newspaper publications – one in the Indian Express and one in the Financial Express – two leading newspapers of India. The articles focused on policies related to Payments of ecosystem services and shifting to cleaner energy for the planet. This was in line with the Earth Day 2025 theme.

Learn more about ESP India national network. [Read more…] about India national network update: Two newspaper publications on PES policies and shifting to clean energy

ESP 11th World Conference

by Categories: ESP conference, News, Upcoming events

From global to local ecosystem services: pathways to Nature-based Solutions inspired from Down Under

23-27 June 2025 | Darwin, Australia

As we confront the critical challenges of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, land degradation and sustainability, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a powerful approach to address these interconnected crises. The 11th ESP World Conference in Darwin will explore pathways to NbS, with a special focus on the insights that local and Indigenous peoples and their value systems can offer.

Registration is currently open, Early Bird fees are available until 1 May. You can find out more and register at www.espconference.org.

Key topics include:

  • Local and Indigenous values and ecosystem services: Understanding the role of Indigenous and local community knowledge and value systems in shaping sustainable pathways.
  • Pathways to Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Exploring successful models from local to global scales, and how they can be applied elsewhere and/or adapted.
  • From research to practice: Connecting ecosystem services science with policymakers, practitioners, and diverse sectors to accelerate NbS implementation.
  • Nature-positive Solutions for a global future: How local insights can contribute to global environmental goals, such as the SDGs and biodiversity targets.

[Read more…] about ESP 11th World Conference

Call for participation: Survey on the role of researchers in transformative change

by Categories: Collaboration calls, News

After the successful launch during the last ESP conference in Wageningen, the YESS survey on the role of researchers in transformative change will close soon! Therefore we wish to bring it again to the attention of the ESP community inviting its members to participate, while thanking all those who participated already!

Are you a researcher working in academic fields related to biodiversity, ecosystem services, or sustainability?

Then this is an invitation to take a moment to reflect upon your role in fostering transformative change. [Read more…] about Call for participation: Survey on the role of researchers in transformative change

ESP India national network with new lead team

by Categories: Collaboration calls, News

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kiran Kumar T. M. and Dr. Suvangi Rath have joined the lead team of the ESP India national network. Below a message from the new lead team.

Hello Researchers,

Ecosystem services represent a ground-breaking revolution in global research, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of our environment and the preservation of biodiversity. The Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) has played a pivotal role in uniting researchers from around the world on a shared platform to develop and implement solutions for protecting natural capital. We are honoured to join the ESP team and take on the responsibility of leading the India national network. Our work mainly aims to estimate the economic value of ecosystem services in India, assess the impact of agricultural land use change on ecosystem services, and finally assess economic value, trade-offs, and farmers’ willingness to accept incentives for the adoption of improved farm practices. We warmly invite collaboration with scientists and academicians, both within India and internationally, to advance our research efforts. [Read more…] about ESP India national network with new lead team