The ChallengeThe Department of Defense manages a diverse set of natural resources, including 30 million acres of land that contain significant expanses of forests, lakes, streams, wetlands, coastlines, and other natural habitats supporting diverse ecosystems of plants and wildlife. These natural infrastructure assets are valuable for more than their picturesque qualities; they provide a range of environments for specific kinds of military training. But managing these assets has become increasingly challenging, as surrounding communities encroach on natural buffers and create incompatibilities in some cases.
Booz Allen Hamilton has assisted the military in conducting Natural Infrastructure Assessments at more than 50 locations, helping commanders and staff manage natural resources as assets that support installation activities and contribute to the environment and surrounding communities. Our experts in military mission and environmental issues, asset management, economic analysis, geospatial analysis, and stakeholder outreach and communications define the installation's requirements for natural infrastructure needed for the site to operate; inventory the natural assets and compare them to the installation's requirements; and identify both the economic and non-economic value of the natural assets at hand.
For instance, we used the Natural Infrastructure Assessment at Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) in central Florida, to highlight the value of the 106,034 acre range. Today, the forestry staff manages its old growth pine forest for the red cockaded woodpecker, a federally listed species. We demonstrated that the forest has a carbon sequestration value of more than $1.5 million, which the Air Force could use for carbon credits. As carbon cap-and-trade policies are being discussed in Washington,the APAFR Flight Chief is considering a carbon credits banking program.
Download a PDF version of the case study entitled, "Natural Infrastructure Asset Management."
Meet David Erne, one of the Booz Allen senior associates who worked on this client assignment.
Looking for a place to work, learn, and grow—not just for a contract or two, but for a career?
Discover what’s next for your career in management and technology consulting or supporting our global operations.
