As a product of the REstoration COordination and VERification (RECOVER) Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP), this report details the evaluation of systemwide performance measures and their targets (or goals) using the ecological tools developed over the past several years under the RECOVER’s MAP program to measure restoration progress.

This technical document summarizes the methodology for the indicator calculations and scoring for the Everglades Report Card.

This newsletter summarizes outputs from the initial stakeholder workshop to develop the Bhitarkanika Conservation Area Report Card. The workshop took place between 6–7 February in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. More than 40 diverse stakeholders came together at this workshop to define the scope of the Bhitarkanika Conservation Area Report Card, create a shared vision for the future of Bhitarkanika, and discuss indicators, thresholds, and data sources for the report card.

The Methods Manual includes background information on SAV and the Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers Monitoring Program, detailed protocol for the Advanced Monitoring Program (Tier 2), safety information, an updated SAV species guide, and many other resources.

This newsletter summarizes outputs from the initial stakeholder workshop to develop the Verde River Watershed Report Card. The objectives of the workshop were to: i) introduce the project and agree on expected outcomes; ii) begin the process of developing a report card; and, iii) define the geographic scope of the report card, indicators, thresholds, data sources, and communication plan.

The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of 2017 Coastal Bays health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four water quality indicators (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals.

This newsletter summarizes the Looking for a Future in Assessment Workshop, held in University College Cork, 27th to 29th March 2018, brought together Regional Seas stakeholders, assessment organizations, and UN and other international bodies. Participants identified a strategic opportunity to work more closely together to chart desired coastal futures.

In past report card years, specific regions throughout Chesapeake Bay have shown improving trends, but this is the first year that the overall Chesapeake Bay is showing significant improvement. Overall Chesapeake Bay Health Scores have been variable in the past. However, since 2015, Chesapeake Bay Health Scores have consistently been in the high C range (53, 54, 54). These consecutive high scores have contributed to an overall positive trajectory for the first time.

Ecosystem health report cards are being considered by the Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change to evaluate performance measures for, and Ontario's contributions within, the Great Lakes basin community. IAN travelled to Toronto to lead an ecosystem health report card training workshop May 16–17, 2018. This newsletter summarizes the results of that training workshop.

The first ever Tennessee River Basin Report card provides a snapshot assessment of ecosystem stressors, condition, and protection in the Tennessee River Basin. This report card was produced in collaboration with the Tennessee River Basin Network, the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative, and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.