Reciprocal Relationships in Reserves: Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES)

Project overview

This project set out to explore and enhance how Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are understood and integrated across the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). From the outset, it was clear that engagement with CES varied widely across the Reserves—some had already incorporated CES into their work, while others were less familiar with the concept or unsure how it applied to their contexts. To address this spectrum of understanding, the project team began with consultations with staff from nine Reserves. These conversations revealed both a strong interest in CES and a need for practical guidance and shared examples.

Research conducted

The project team hosted two well-attended webinars focused on commonly shared activities– celebrations and volunteer engagement—entry points identified during the consultations as promising venues for CES work. These sessions proved successful in attracting a wide audience. Project staff also held a workshop that explored how to integrate CES into existing evaluation practices, using tools like the NOAA Human Dimensions question bank to adapt survey instruments across different sectors.

Findings

This project found that across the System, Reserves are engaging with CES and it was more important to document those activities. Despite the numerous examples that were heard of how Reserves engage with CES (including some listed below), prior to consultations or involvement in this project, these Reserves were not aware that their activities would be considered as “engaging with CES.” Through consulting interviews, Professional Sharing Sessions, and project team activities, this project gleaned many ways that Reserves are engaging with CES:

Host or participate in celebrations of place, culturally important species, seasons, practices, migration patterns, history, food festivals focused on locally-derived ingredients
Host activities and events that focus on artistic expression, inspired by the Reserves
Educational activities
Lead tours or other activities that facilitate sense of place, connection to place
Formal research activities focused on identifying and assessing CES
Providing access to places that people find aesthetically pleasing
Providing Indigenous communities with access to lands or waters that were previously stewarded by their ancestors
Historic and cultural signage
Efforts that crowdsource public responses in regards to why the public loves Reserves (e.g., efforts held as part of I Heart Estuaries Week, or more locally, the “Thank You Delaware Bay Festival”)

Outcomes & impact

A key output of the project is a comprehensive Resource Guide designed to meet users at different stages of familiarity with CES. The guide includes background resources, job aids, and case studies to help Reserve staff better recognize and intentionally engage with CES in their existing work.