NRI’s research-based Conservation Valuations translate complex natural resource data into clear economic insights that support conservation decision-making. Through studies such as the Ecosystem Services Valuation, Conserving Texas, Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Reports, and the Economic Value of White-Tailed Deer reports, we quantify the ecological and financial value of Texas’ working lands and wildlife resources. These analyses help policymakers, land trusts, agencies, and private landowners understand the return on investment of conservation, prioritize high-value landscapes, and make informed decisions that sustain Texas’ natural and economic prosperity. Below are our most recent valuations for conservation programs across the U.S.

Texas Ecosystem Services: A state-wide assessment

The Texas Ecosystem Services Report evaluates the essential benefits that Texas’ working lands provide—from water filtration and flood mitigation to wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and recreational value. By quantifying these services in economic terms, the report helps landowners, policymakers, and conservation partners understand the real value of healthy landscapes and the cost of losing them to fragmentation or development. This information guides strategic investments that sustain both natural resources and community resilience.

Conserving Texas: Quantifying Ecological Return on Investment

The Conserving Texas report provides a statewide assessment of conservation needs, priorities, and opportunities across working lands and natural areas. By integrating land-use trends, ecological data, and economic considerations, the report identifies landscapes where targeted conservation can deliver the greatest ecological and financial return. The findings help agencies, land trusts, and legislators align resources to safeguard Texas’ water, wildlife, agricultural productivity, and rural economies.

Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program

Over 80% of Texas is made up of privately owned working lands—farms, ranches, and forestlands that supply food, fiber, and water; support wildlife habitat; provide outdoor recreation; and contribute to healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing. Despite their importance, Texas loses nearly 1,000 acres of working lands each day to development and fragmentation, driven by rapid population growth and rising land market values. To help safeguard the public benefits these lands provide, the Texas Legislature established the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, which funds voluntary conservation easements in partnership with qualified nonprofits and governmental agencies. The Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program Report examines the economic, agricultural, and ecological values protected through the program and evaluates the financial efficiency of using state funds to conserve working lands and prevent further fragmentation.

The Economic Value of White-tailed Deer in Texas

The Economic Values of White-tailed Deer in Texas reports quantify the significant economic impact of deer hunting, habitat management, and rural land stewardship in Texas. Through analyses of landowner expenditures, recreational use, rural economies, and the wildlife industry, the reports demonstrate how white-tailed deer contribute to local and statewide revenue while incentivizing conservation of rangelands and woodlands. Together, the two reports provide a clear picture of why deer remain a cornerstone of the state’s natural resource economy—and how thoughtful management sustains those benefits.