The Nature Record

The Nature Record is an independent initiative to publish the National Nature Assessment, which was a Biden-commissioned report on the health of US ecosystems and natural resources that was canceled by Trump in 2025. Dr. Phillip Levin, who directed the National Nature Assessment, left his post at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in order to direct the independent release. The Nature Record’s deputy director, Dr. Tessa Francis, is also an ex-federal scientist.

The state-of-nature assessment was almost complete, a few weeks away from its publication date, when it was canceled. The Nature Record secured funding from the Resources Legacy Fund in order to finance the remaining work, the publication, and the planned review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The initiative plans to publish the final version of its assessment in fall 2026. It also plans to release the data and metadata used in the report, as well as create tools, products, and opportunities to “help communities and individuals put knowledge to work.”

Resources

• Assessment - a report on the health of US ecosystems and natural resources, currently in draft form