As ecosystem markets emerge around the world, demand is growing for standards and tools that ensure these markets achieve their environmental goals with credibility, efficiency, and transparency.  To meet this need, the Willamette Partnership led a broad collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit stakeholders to create the Counting on the Environment protocols, standards, and tools.

The Counting on the Environment’s Ecosystem Credit Accounting System (http://willamettepartnership.org/ecosystem-credit-accounting) was designed to assist practitioners who are participating in or interested in ecosystem markets.  The associated training program is open to individuals or groups and the modules can be taken individually or as a program ranging from one to six days (download training flyer)(download enrollment form)

Payments for Ecosystem Services.  Learn how to lay the foundation for an ecosystem service program in your area, where the growing opportunities are in the Pacific Northwest, how the Counting on the Environment process works, and how it can be adapted into your program and/or area. 

Markets 101. This module goes into detail on how ecosystem markets work, their history, where they are being rolled out and where current opportunities lie in the Pacific Northwest.  Attendees will get a step-by-step understanding of the innovative Counting on the Environment process including project eligibility, ecosystem assessments, third party verification, and registration.  Additionally, attendees will be introduced to the Ecosystem Crediting Platform tool and Functional Credit Calculators that provide assessments of ecosystem service loss and gain.

Functional Credit Calculation for wetlands, streams (nutrients, temperature, & habitat), and upland ecosystems (prairie & oak savannah).  These modules are for folks who want to get into the details of ecosystem service assessments.  After attending one of these trainings, participants will have background on the metric development, in the field training on the assessment tool, and understanding of what the results mean and how they are applied to credit calculation.  It is strongly recommended that participants attend Markets 101 prior to attending a Functional Credit Calculation module.

Verification Training. The verification portion of the training program will not be offered in 2012.  However, if you are interested in becoming a certified verifier for Willamette Partnership, the Markets 101 and Functional Credit Calculation modules offered this year can be applied to verification training in 2013.

Webinars. To give people an idea of what’s to come in our 2012 program, the Willamette Partnership will be hosting two free webinars.  The first is an overview of the program modules (register here) and the second is a demonstration of the Ecosystem Crediting Platform (register here).  Hope to see you online!

If you are interested in signing up for the program, please fill out our enrollment form and send it to Joni at eltetoj@willamettepartnership.org or by mail 2550 SW Hillsboro Hwy., Hillsboro, OR  97123.  Space is limited and will be filled on a first come basis, so please get your request in as soon as possible.   If you are interested in scheduling a customized training for a group in your area or having a private training in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, please contact us at info@willamettepartnership.org or call (503) 681-5112.