by: Grace Lee, freelance writer
At The Nature Conservancy, better understanding nature through science has always been core to our work. We seek to collectively create tangible impact for communities across the state of Washington by partnering with passionate scientists, expert practitioners, and traditional knowledge keepers.
Nature touches our lives in many ways, from leisure to the essential resources it provides. Credit: Phil Levin
Building on this foundation of science-driven conservation, we’re proud to announce that our longtime team member Dr. Phillip Levin, Lead Scientist for TNC Washington and Professor of Practice at the University of Washington (UW), has been appointed by the Biden-Harris administration to lead the first ever National Nature Assessment (NNA) to evaluate the state of nature in the U.S. With his decades of experience bridging scientific knowledge and on-the-ground action through an interdisciplinary lens, Dr. Levin will guide the initiative as it creates a holistic picture of America’s lands, waters, wildlife, and ecosystems—and the benefits they provide to both people and nature.
“Through his commitment to collaborative research and support of students, Phil has transformed how TNC conducts science,” said Mike Stevens, State Director for TNC Washington. “He’s helped shape the next generation of scientists, brought together experts across disciplines, and worked to better integrate equity and social sciences into our conservation efforts. We’re proud to see him recognized at the national level and are confident that his enthusiasm for conservation benefitting people and nature will be echoed in the NNA, as it has through his work here in Washington.”
Dr. Levin took a moment to share his journey from TNC and UW to this new opportunity and what he’s hopeful for in the coming years.
Q&A with Dr. Phillip Levin
The National Nature Assessment is the first of its kind in the U.S. Tell us about the goal of this project, your role within it, and what excites you about this approach.
Although there’s an enormous breadth of existing data, Indigenous knowledge, scientific models, and stakeholder information related to nature and its connections to our lives, there hasn’t been an attempt to make sense of it on this scale. Conducted under the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which brings together global change research across 14 Federal agencies and their collaborators, the NNA will give us deeper insight into both the human-induced and natural processes that influence our environment and our lives. Because nature ultimately affects all of us in remarkable ways—whether it’s our health, our well-being, or our livelihoods.
Phil Levin visits the Council on Environmental Quality during moving day at the end of the Obama Administration. Credit: Phil Levin
So how do we do that? We first need to build a rich understanding of nature—enriched by weaving together the stories, scientific findings, Indigenous knowledge, and lived experiences of people from across the country. The NNA is an opportunity to integrate and assess nature as seen through a diversity of eyes, to appreciate what nature means to different people, and to explore the future of our nation’s amazing natural treasures.
And of course, no one can do this alone. While much of the scope and details of the assessment are under development, we will certainly draw on lessons from previous initiatives like the National Climate Assessment, which engaged a diverse author team with a wide range of expertise and lived experiences. To be successful, this whole process must stand on the shoulders of all of us who benefit in different ways from nature.
Can you tell us a little more about why understanding nature on this scale is important? And in terms of real-life impact, what are some potential outcomes from the assessment?
Nature is all around us in our lives in different ways. But we don’t have a full picture of how it’s doing in our country. The assessment will give us the knowledge to make better decisions around investing in more resilient infrastructure, like using living shorelines to buffer rebuilt roads from storms and erosion or pairing bridge-building with watershed management to help the bridge last longer. We’ll also get a clearer picture of how effectively natural investments to combat climate change are working and the ways in which nature affects our food and water security.
Thinking about your professional journey up to this point, your work through the TNC/UW partnership has incorporated a collaborative and interdisciplinary focus. In the past six years, what are some of the moments you’re most proud of?
Over the years, I’ve been lucky to work with some of the most passionate and talented partners on a diversity of topics from environmental justice to climate change to mental health. To achieve lasting, on-the-ground results, conservation science must be interconnected with Tribes, stakeholders, students, partners, community members, and entities that all work together in real-world settings.
From snowcaps of the Central Cascades to fisheries along the Washington coast, Phil Levin has worked with partners to study and inform conservation action across the state. Credit: TNC/Phil Levin
One of the most memorable projects has been our ongoing efforts in urban conservation. From using a portable x-ray machine to prioritize stormwater treatment to working with hundreds of graduate students to draw interdisciplinary connections, it’s been a rewarding area for collaborations and projects to come to life, especially seeing opportunities and science that wouldn’t be possible without the strength of our unique partnerships.
Looking both back on your time at TNC and towards the future leading the National Nature Assessment—what does your work mean to you at this moment? And what inspires you to keep pursuing it?
On the steps of the U.S. Capitol building, Phil Levin and partners showcase news research on sustainable fisheries management. Credit: TNC/Phil Levin
Successful conservation, especially in the face of an uncertain climate, is built on the knowledge and collaboration of Tribes, stakeholders, scientists, natural resource managers, and local leaders. We all have a stake in—and can contribute to—a sustainable future.
I’m committed to pushing forward innovative and groundbreaking projects which weave together science with the knowledge and experiences of all people to solve our world’s biggest environmental challenges. Working together, we can ensure a bright future for the lands and waters that support us all.
Looking Ahead
As Dr. Levin meets his next challenge with the same spirit of leadership and collaboration he brought to TNC and UW every day, we look forward to building on his legacy and will continue to uphold our commitment to science-driven conservation while carrying forward our robust partnership with UW.
Feature image: Phil Levin speaks to TNC Washington Trustee meeting about stormwater and salmon health at a local Seattle park in 2018. Credit: Courtney Baxter/TNC
