The Natural Resources Finance Initiative (NRFI) advances its mission through the support of federal agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations committed to sustainable resource management. Funding enables NRFI faculty and students to pursue research on forest economics, carbon markets, ecosystem services, and wildfire resilience.
Recent Grants and Research Awards
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — $162,000
To support research on how smallholders — individuals who own smaller parcels of land — can sustainably monetize ecosystem services provided by forests. The project explores ways to create inclusive financial pathways that recognize and reward the environmental value of small-scale forest management.
Mississippi State University — $193,000
To examine how forest conservation easements can simultaneously enable timber production and carbon offsets. This study evaluates innovative conservation finance approaches that balance economic productivity with long-term carbon sequestration.
Collaborating and Supporting Partners
NRFI’s research is supported by a network of partners who share our vision for sustainable resource finance, including:
U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Mississippi State University
Environmental Defense Fund
Blue Forest Conservation
Conservation Finance Network
Duke Forest
Croatan Institute
Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
NRFI welcomes collaboration with organizations, agencies, and funders interested in advancing sustainable finance solutions. To learn more about partnership opportunities or to support NRFI’s research, please contact Richard Bin Mei at bin.mei@duke.edu.
Join our growing network of students, professionals, and alumni working at the intersection of finance and sustainability.
