Ecosystem Services are benefits people obtain from ecosystems and is divided into four categories: provisioning services, such as the production of food and water; regulating services, such as the control of wildfire and land use; supporting services, such as nutrient cycles and wildlife habitat; and cultural services, such as historical and recreational benefits.

Ecosystem Services resulting from beneficial use or enhancement of landscape functions and values through projects on private and public land that improve landscape conditions can also be converted into eco-currency which in the past has been called "carbon credits" or "mitigation credits". This type of currency can be utilized for ecosystem finance opportunities that can enhance both the biological aspects of natural resources but also improve resource production, durability to utilization, and long-term sustainability of usable natural resource commodities.

Idaho Habitat Works is throwing their hat in the proverbial "ring" of Ecosystem Service contracting. While we are by no means experts in this emerging market, we intend on building a niche within the firm to pursue ecosystem finance work going into the future. More to come...