EcoHealth Report Cards
  • About
  • The Process
  • Contact
  • Report Cards
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Clinton River
    • Detroit River
    • Guanabara Bay
    • Huron River
    • Lake Erie
    • Long Island Sound
    • Maryland Coastal Bays
    • Orinoco River
    • Rio Grande
    • River Raisin
    • Rouge River
    • Southeast Michigan
    • Sudbury, Assabet, & Concord Rivers
    • Verde River
    • Willamette River

Imagine if your research could mobilise volunteers to protect their local river...

...or inspire politicians to fund restoration activities...

...or stimulate engineers to devise ways to reduce pollution.

That’s just what we’ve achieved.

Our environmental report cards synthesize data from scientists and volunteers and convert it into an image-rich format that is easily accessible to a wide audience. Report cards also tap into a powerful human motivator: peer pressure. Civic leaders and community members can compare their grades with their neighbors, and we have learned that these comparisons lead to a desire for better environmental outcomes in their own backyard.

For nearly two decades our team has worked both at the local level with river protection groups, and developed assessments of iconic ecosystems such as the Chesapeake Bay (USA) and the Great Barrier Reef (Australia). These environmental report cards have been used to catalyze improvements in ecosystem health, guide restoration efforts, and stimulate relevant research.

We can't just study environmental problems any more. We need to use science to inspire real change.

Find out about our process

“The IAN team were contracted to support the production of the first Reef Plan Great Barrier Reef Report Card based on their proven international track record in this field. The team delivered well above expectations providing interdisciplinary expertise in water quality, ecosystem health, science communication and integration. Based on this success, the team were contracted again to support the production of the second report card.”

Chris Chinn, Reef Plan Secretariat

“Working with IAN is transformative. Their team of science communicators and integrators help you tackle environmental challenges head-on, often using thoughtful and innovative approaches. IAN’s engaging approach to science communication and translation can shape knowledge into action. I know, because I have seen their products effectively used by researchers and managers alike.”

Shawn Carter, National Park Service

“Our ‘Shifting Sands’ book, report card, and State of the Bays report are three of the most highly regarded publications in the conservation field. IAN’s work to put them together has taken our program to a new level.”

Dave Wilson, Maryland Coastal Bays Program

“Understanding the ecological health of Baltimore Harbor is an essential first step towards making our urban waters safe for swimming and fishing. The research and wealth of knowledge provided by the EcoCheck team has been invaluable to the Healthy Harbor Initiative.”

Adam Lindquist, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.

© 2025 UMCES

  • Home
  • About
  • The Process
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  • Report Cards
    • Chesapeake Bay
      • Bay Health
      • Watershed Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Turbidity
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        • Heat Vulnerability Index
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    • Clinton River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
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        • Wetlands
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        • Fish Consumption
        • Bacteria
        • Heat Vulnerability
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        • Sewer Overflows
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        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Oxygen
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        • Turbidity
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        • Clinton River
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    • Detroit River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Household Income
        • Local Ownership
        • Cost of Flooding
        • Income Equality
        • Trade
        • River Economy
        • Wetlands
        • Tree Cover
        • Forests
        • Fish Populations
        • Bird Diversity
        • Benthic Community
        • Protected Lands
        • Fish Consumption
        • Bacteria
        • Heat Vulnerability
        • Air Quality Index
        • Environmental Justice
        • Flooding
        • Sewer Overflows
        • Impervious Surfaces
        • Farmland
        • Affordable Housing
        • Walkability
        • Parks
        • Beach Access
        • Watercraft Access
        • Fishing
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Oxygen
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        • Turbidity
      • Region
        • Detroit River Watershed
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    • Guanabara Bay
      • Bay Health
      • Basin Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Biological Oxygen Demand
        • Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen
        • Total Phosphorus
        • Orthophosphate
        • Turbidity
        • Fecal coliform
      • Sanitation
      • Issues
      • Publications
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    • Huron River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Household Income
        • Local Ownership
        • Cost of Flooding
        • Income Equality
        • Trade
        • River Economy
        • Wetlands
        • Tree Cover
        • Forests
        • Fish Populations
        • Bird Diversity
        • Benthic Community
        • Protected Lands
        • Fish Consumption
        • Bacteria
        • Heat Vulnerability
        • Air Quality Index
        • Environmental Justice
        • Flooding
        • Sewer Overflows
        • Impervious Surfaces
        • Farmland
        • Affordable Housing
        • Walkability
        • Parks
        • Beach Access
        • Watercraft Access
        • Fishing
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Water Temperature
        • Turbidity
      • Region
        • Huron River
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • About
    • Lake Erie
      • Lake Health
      • Watershed Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Total Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Phosphorus
        • Total Nitrogen
        • Nitrate + Nitrite
        • Chlorophyll a
        • Walleye
        • Yellow Perch
        • Emerald Shiner
        • Bloom Index
        • Source Water Toxin
        • Recreational Toxin
        • Total Suspended Solids
        • Fish
        • Macroinvertebrates
        • Habitat Quality
        • Fish Consumption
        • Pesticide
      • Lake Regions
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        • Sandusky Bay
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        • Overall Watershed
        • Auglaize
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    • Long Island Sound
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Chlorophyll a
        • Water Clarity
        • Dissolved Organic Carbon
      • Regions
        • Overall
        • Western Narrows
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        • 2018
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    • Maryland Coastal Bays
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Chlorophyll a
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Seagrass
        • Hard Clams
      • Regions
        • Overall
        • Assawoman Bay
        • Chincoteague Bay
        • Isle of Wight Bay
        • Newport Bay
        • Sinepuxent Bay
        • St. Martin River
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        • 2023
        • 2022
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    • Orinoco River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Water Quality Index
        • Risks to Water Quality
        • Water Supply and Demand
        • Natural Land Cover
        • Stable Forest Area
        • Terrestrial Connectivity
        • Fire Frequency
        • Ecosystem Services
        • Human Nutrition
        • Mining in Sensitive Ecosystems
        • River Dolphins
      • Regions
        • Arauca River
        • Atabapo River
        • Bita River
        • Guaviare River
        • Inírida River
        • Matavén River
        • Meta River
        • Tomo River
        • Tuparro River
        • Vichada River
      • Issues
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    • Rio Grande
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Annual low flow
        • Zero Flow Days
        • Municipal Water Supply
        • Groundwater
        • Agriculture surface water supply
        • Flow Alteration
        • Riparian Areas
        • Water Supply for Compact
        • Impaired Streams
        • Invasive Trees and Shrubs
        • Wetland Loss
        • Bird Diversity
        • Silvery Minnow
        • Native Fish Diversity
        • All Fish Diversity
        • Native peoples and acequias support
        • Native peoples and acequias representation
        • Water Resource Governance
        • Water Resource Management
        • Protected Lands
        • Fire
        • Park Visitation
        • Recreation Access
        • Cultural and Historical Places
        • Walkability
        • Heat Vulnerability Index
        • Social Vulnerability Index
        • Air Quality
        • Affordable Housing
      • Regions
        • Overall
        • Upper Rio Grande - CO
        • Upper Rio Grande - NM
        • Middle Rio Grande
        • Lower Rio Grande
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • About
    • River Raisin
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Household Income
        • Local Ownership
        • Cost of Flooding
        • Income Equality
        • Trade
        • River Economy
        • Wetlands
        • Tree Cover
        • Forests
        • Fish Populations
        • Bird Diversity
        • Benthic Community
        • Protected Lands
        • Fish Consumption
        • Bacteria
        • Heat Vulnerability
        • Air Quality Index
        • Environmental Justice
        • Flooding
        • Sewer Overflows
        • Impervious Surfaces
        • Farmland
        • Affordable Housing
        • Walkability
        • Parks
        • Beach Access
        • Watercraft Access
        • Fishing
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Water Temperature
        • Turbidity
      • Region
        • River Raisin
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • About
    • Rouge River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Household Income
        • Local Ownership
        • Cost of Flooding
        • Income Equality
        • Trade
        • River Economy
        • Wetlands
        • Tree Cover
        • Forests
        • Fish Populations
        • Bird Diversity
        • Benthic Community
        • Protected Lands
        • Fish Consumption
        • Bacteria
        • Heat Vulnerability
        • Air Quality Index
        • Environmental Justice
        • Flooding
        • Sewer Overflows
        • Impervious Surfaces
        • Farmland
        • Affordable Housing
        • Walkability
        • Parks
        • Beach Access
        • Watercraft Access
        • Fishing
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Water Temperature
        • Turbidity
      • Region
        • Rouge River
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • About
    • Southeast Michigan
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Household Income
        • Local Ownership
        • Cost of Flooding
        • Income Equality
        • Trade
        • River Economy
        • Wetlands
        • Tree Cover
        • Forests
        • Fish Populations
        • Bird Diversity
        • Benthic Community
        • Protected Lands
        • Fish Consumption
        • Bacteria
        • Heat Vulnerability
        • Air Quality Index
        • Environmental Justice
        • Flooding
        • Sewer Overflows
        • Impervious Surfaces
        • Farmland
        • Affordable Housing
        • Walkability
        • Parks
        • Beach Access
        • Watercraft Access
        • Fishing
        • Nitrogen
        • Phosphorus
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Water Temperature
        • Turbidity
      • Regions
        • Overall
        • Clinton
        • Detroit
        • Huron
        • Raisin
        • Rouge
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • About
    • Sudbury, Assabet, & Concord Rivers
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall
        • Dissolved Oxygen
        • Temperature
        • Suspended Solids
        • Phosphorus
        • Nitrogen
        • Floating Biomass
        • Streamflow Alteration
        • Groundwater Level
        • Summer Streamflow
        • Visual Quality
        • Cultural Importance
        • Impervious Cover
        • Aquatic Connectivity
        • Ecological Integrity
        • Passability
        • Access
        • Trails
        • Bacteria
        • Fish Edibility
      • Regions
        • Upper Sudbury River
        • Lower Sudbury River
        • Upper Assabet River
        • Lower Assabet River
        • Upper Concord River
        • Lower Concord River
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • Take Action
        • Discover your rivers
        • Roll up your sleeves
        • Become a citizen scientist or advocate
        • Celebrate success
      • About
    • Verde River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Base Flow
        • Surfacewater BMPs
        • Groundwater BMPs
        • Water Quality Index
        • Water Quality Certainty
        • Turbidity
        • Macroinvertebrates
        • Upland Condition Index
        • Riparian Birds
        • Fish
        • Recreation Planning
        • Visitor Satisfaction
        • Recreation Access
        • Civic Engagement
        • Digital Engagement
        • Healthcare
        • Education
        • Unemployment
        • Affordable Housing
      • Regions
        • Overall
        • Big and Little Chino
        • Upper Verde
        • Upper Verde Valley
        • Oak Creek
        • Lower Verde Valley
        • Wild and Scenic
        • Lower Verde
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • Take Action
      • About
    • Willamette River
      • Health
      • Indicators
        • Overall Health Index
        • Water Quality Index
        • Toxics
        • Temperature
        • Native Fish
        • Non-native Fish
        • Juvenile Chinook
        • Bald Eagle
        • Channel Complexity
        • Floodplain Forest
        • Flow Targets
        • Peak Flows
        • Fish Consumption Advisories
        • Tribal Fisheries
        • Fecal Bacteria
        • Harmful Algal Blooms
      • Regions
        • Upper Willamette
        • Middle Willamette
        • Lower Willamette
      • Issues
      • Publications
      • Take Action
        • Know your river
        • Make a change
        • Join the movement
        • Celebrate success
      • About