Reintroducing United by Nature

A message from the director

Hello, and welcome to the United by Nature initiative. Some of you joined after my Earth Day op-ed in The New York Times, where I wrote about a project that gathered hundreds of scientists to create the first full accounting of nature in the U.S. That feels both like yesterday and a lifetime ago.

Since then, this small seed has been stretching its roots. What began as a report has become a movement, one rooted in science but also in story, in art, and in the daily ways nature shows up in our lives.

This newsletter is our way of keeping you close to the work as it unfolds. You’ll hear from me, from our Secretariat, and from the many authors and partners shaping this initiative. We want to pull back the curtain to share progress, stories, and ideas as we build toward the launch of our report and digital platform next year.

Most importantly, we hope to spark conversation, invite feedback, and keep you connected to the work. I’m so grateful you’re here.

What is United by Nature?

At its heart, United by Nature is about understanding the world around us, and having the information we need to keep changes in nature in mind. Together we’re building:

• A holistic assessment of U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and the benefits they provide

• Tools to help communities and individuals put knowledge into action

• Stories that remind us of our belonging to the living world and inspire collective action

Who’s behind it?

Day to day, it’s me and Tessa Francis—director and deputy director—alongside about 180 extraordinary authors lending their brains, creativity, and networks. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be adding staff and continuing to grow our partnerships.

I’m also fortunate to be joined by Heather Tallis and Jane Lubchenco on the Executive Committee, which helps guide decisions between the quarterly meetings of our remarkable Secretariat: Amy Ando, ‘Aulani Wilhem, Bilal Ayyub, Heather Tallis (chair), Jane Lubchenco, Jonathan Patz, and Simon Levin. This group ensures the work remains rigorous, credible, and impactful.

Resources Legacy Fund serves as our fiscal sponsor, giving us a strong foundation. And we’re now building out an Advisory Board to help extend the reach and networks of the initiative even further.

A growing community

Since Earth Day, we’ve been buoyed by encouragement from scientists, students, community leaders, and everyday nature lovers across the country. The message is unmistakable: this matters, and people want to help it grow.

Join us

Many of you have asked how to get involved. Join us in shaping the assessment of nature—we expect a beta platform in early 2026.

United by Nature is not just a report, it’s a partnership. None of this matters unless people are part of it—scientists, artists, farmers, fishers, students, Indigenous leaders, business owners, neighbors. All of us.

So I invite you to join us. Connect with us on LinkedIn and sign up for this newsletter if someone shared it with you.

We’ll share opportunities to comment on drafts, to tell your stories, to hear about bright spots from across the country, and to gather at events. We won’t flood your inbox—I promise.

What’s next

This past summer we reconvened authors, reimagined chapters, added new content, and created the first drafts of our report. Our chapter leads recently gathered for a retreat—a circle of minds and voices refining the work. Those drafts are now moving through copy editing and design, the words beginning to take form on the page like a river finding its course.

As this work unfolds, I’ll share updates, reflections, and invitations. Think of it less as a one-way report and more as a conversation—a weaving together of science, story, and community.

Thank you for walking this path with us. Together we can make visible the truth we already feel: that we are, each of us, united by nature.

Phil