NEWS

RESOURCES FOR PARTNERSHIPS

PARTNERSHIP LINKS

CALENDAR

POLICIES & LEGISLATION

PARTNERING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE

INTEREST LINKS:

ARTS

COMMUNITIES

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

FIRE

FOREST HEALTH

CULTURAL
RESOURCES

RECREATION

ROADS & TRAILS

TRIBAL PARTNERSHIPS

WATERSHEDS

WILDLIFE, FISH, & PLANTS

COMMUNITIES

com-mu-ni-ty (ke myoo’n net é) n., any group living in the same area, or with similar intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks and other conditions present and common, so as to affect the identity of the participants and their degree of adhesion.

Communities of place and communities of interest play significant roles in ustaining natural resources and providing valuable knowledge and skills towards their management.

Communities of place include those people bound together because of where they reside, work, visit or otherwise spend a continuous portion of their time. Such a community can be a neighborhood, town, coffeehouse, workplace, gathering place, or public space.

Communities of interest include people who share a common interest or passion, such as birding or mountain biking. These people exchange ideas and thoughts about their given passion, but may know (or care) little about each other outside of this area.

Both of these communities are important partnerships for natural resource stewardship. In unique ways, they provide a context for our work and valuable information towards solving problems, informing stakeholders and the general, and improving the decision-making process.

Organizations and Programs

Key national initiatives and programs are highlighted below to provide inspiration and resources to budding community-based partnerships. Also refer to Partnership Links feature for local reference.

Communities of Place

• Alliance for Community Trees is a citizen-based nonprofit dedicated to urban and community tree planning, care, conservation and education.
• American Forests serves as a "bridge group” to rural, forest-dependent communities by providing policy information to local partners and advocating for their participation in forest policy processes, particularly the national level.
• The Communities Committee of the 7th American Forest Congress focuses its attention on the interdependence of America’s forests and the vitality of rural and urban communities.
• National Association of Conservation Districts is made up of 3,000 local districts that work with landowners, organizations, and government to protect soil, water, forests, wildlife, and other resources.
• National Network of Forest Practitioners is a grassroots alliance of rural people working to build an ecologically sound and socially just forest economy. It provides information and technical assistance, a forum for networking, and a meaningful role in national discussions about forests and rural communities.
• National Association of Resource and Development Councils represent 375 local councils that deliver coordinated resource conservation and rural development assistance through partnerships with grassroots organizations and all levels of government.
• Rural Coalition is an alliance of over 90 culturally diverse community based groups in the United States and Mexico who collaborate to advance social justice and sustainable development in rural areas.
• The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment is dedicated to advancing rural community well-being and sustainable ecosystems at local, regional and national scales.
• The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, a program of Sustainable Northwest, is comprised of western rural and local, regional, and national organizations that have joined together to promote balanced conservation-based approaches to the ecological and economic problems facing the West.

Communities of Interest

• The Bird Conservation Alliance is a network of organizations with a shared interest in the conservation of wild birds and serves as a forum to exchange information regarding bird conservation, collaborative advocacy, and relevant resources.
• The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for nearly 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs
• American Hiking Society is dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, the natural areas that surround them, and the hiking experience itself.
• The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) catalyzes public/private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreational opportunities and the resources upon which such experiences are based. ARC conducts research on a regular basis, organizes and conducts national conferences and meetings and disseminates information.
• Through education, information, and representation, the Association of Partners for Public Lands promotes the vitality of its membership and the programs of service and support to the agencies who oversee this nation’s public lands.
• Back Country Horsemen of America is a non-profit designed to perpetuate the historic use of recreational stock in the back country.
• The Boone and Crockett Club is a coalition of dedicated conservationists and sportsmen who provide the leadership on issues that affect hunting, wildlife and wild habitat.
• The Federation of Fly Fishers is an international service organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through conservation and education.
• The North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) Committee is a forum of government agencies, private organizations, and bird initiatives helping partners across the continent meet their common bird conservation objectives through coordination and collaboration.
• The International Mountain Biking Association is a membership organization that provides services in the area of restoration, education and policy establishment—as they apply to mountain bike experiences.
• The Izaac Walton League strives to save outdoor America for future generations through over 300 community chapters, including restoring watersheds, protecting habitats and open spaces, and instilling conservation ethics for outdoor recreation.
• The National Wild Turkey Federation is a grassroots organization that supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.
• The Ruffed Grouse Society's (RGS) membership consists mainly of grouse and woodcock hunters who support national scientific conservation and management efforts to ensure the future of the species.
• The Nature Conservancy, through state and country chapters, aims to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
• The Wildlife Society is an international non-profit scientific and educational association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education