Ecosystem Valuation Workshop

The Northwest Environmental Training Center presents:
Ecosystem Goods and Service Valuation
Course ID: SUST-801 ( 1 day )
September 18, 2009, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
NWETC Headquarters
650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108

Instructor: Susan Burke, Ph.D., Gretchen Greene, Ph.D., and Katharine Wellman, ENTRIX

This class has been cancelled due to low enrollment.
Please feel free to contact us at info@nwetc.org if you have further questions.

Directions | Accommodations | Course Catalog

Description: This one-day course for non-economists will provide participants an overview of general natural resource economics with an emphasis on how economics can resource managers make decisions. Special emphasis will be placed on ecosystem service valuation, regional economics, impact analysis, benefit cost analysis and particularly the development of ecosystem markets. Economic ecosystem valuation and ecosystem markets are being described by many as a new tool for resource management. Three examples at the federal, state and regional level that demonstrate a commitment to ecosystem valuation and markets are:

The USDA creation of the new office of Ecosystem Services and Markets (from the December 18, 2008 press release) “ … to assist the Secretary of Agriculture in the development of new technical guidelines and science-based methods to assess environmental service benefits which will in turn promote markets for ecosystem services…”

The Puget Sound Partnership’s Action Agenda Funding Strategy, December 2008 (page iii, http://www.psp.wa.gov/downloads/AAAPX/funding.pdf) – “The single most important step the Puget Sound Partnership could take to advance new structural approaches for restoration is the creation of payments for services or integrated ecosystem markets…”

The Willamette Partnership’s Temperature Trading Handbook – Draft, December 31, 2008, Willamette Oregon (from the website http://www.willamettepartnership.org/publications) -This Temperature Trading Handbook provides natural resource managers with information they need to develop and sell temperature credits generated from planting riparian shade in the Willamette River Basin. It also provides regulated entities that have an obligation to reduce their temperature impacts to river water with information they need to purchase these temperature credits.

Participants in this course will walk away with an understanding of how economics can help with resource management decision making. In particularly how valuation and markets can help them manage resources, garner funding and/or turn potential liabilities into assets.

Course Topics:

Utilitarian Valuation Versus Non-utilitarian Valuation

Methods of Valuation, including;

Travel Cost
Hedonic
Stated Preference
Avoided Cost
Replacement Cost

Steps of Market Development

Mitigation Markets

Cap and Trade

Reverse Auctions

Taxes

Incentives

Voluntary Private Sector Programs

National Resource Damage Assessment

About the Instructors: Susan Burke, Ph.D. and Gretchen Greene, Ph.D., and Katharine Wellman are Natural Resource Economists with a cumulative 46 years in consulting. Working with diverse clients, they have the ability to apply theoretical techniques to real world problems, and communicate the results of research findings to audiences at all levels of understanding.

Prerequisites: None

Education Level: Introductory/Review

Course Materials: Participants will receive course proceedings, and reference materials.

Continuing Education Units: 0.7

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the prevailing weather. Lunch will be on your own. There are numerous restaurants within walking distance. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day.

Registration: $250 ($195 reduced tuition*)
*Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members. You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.