The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) manages millions of acres of land. The land is used for testing and training the force. Access to these lands and long-term use for maintaining United States defense capabilities requires land managers and leaders to balance cost and capabilities. Moreover, these lands protect natural resources, are home to >300 federally-listed threatened or endangered plant and animal species and are increasingly stressed by changes in climate. This session examines research efforts currently underway to better understand and value the benefits the nation and the DoD accrue from the natural infrastructure.