USGCRP is pleased to announce that Dr. Phillip Levin will serve as the Director of the National Nature Assessment. Dr. Levin brings an array of valuable career experiences from academia, federal government, and the non-profit sector to his new role. USGCRP thanks the National Science Foundation for making Dr. Levin’s detail possible.

Dr. Levin comes to USGCRP from a dual position as the lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy in Washington State and a Professor of Practice at the University of Washington, where his work bridged scholarship and decision-making. His research has advanced natural and social sciences knowledge on a wide range of topics relevant to the National Nature Assessment’s scope, including marine and freshwater systems, lands, and their many links to society.

Much of Dr. Levin’s recent work addresses environmental justice issues, documenting and identifying ways to overcome the disproportionate impacts of floods, fires, and heatwaves on Tribal, Latino, and Black communities, including through direct community engagement. He previously served as Senior Scientist at the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center and as the scientific lead of NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment efforts along the U.S. West Coast.

Under Dr. Levin’s leadership, the first National Nature Assessment will assess the status, observed trends, and future projections of America's lands, waters, wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems and the benefits they provide, including connections to the economy, public health, equity, climate mitigation and adaptation, and national security. It is expected for release in 2026.