IV. Field Guide to Nonprofit Organizations
Interpretive Associations
Interpretive associations enhance the experiences of visitors to federal public lands and support the interpretive and educational efforts of federal agencies. They are private nonprofit organizations established under state law that also follow applicable laws governing federal tax-exempt 501(3)(c) organizations. Federal land management agencies such as the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS) have entered into agreements with nonprofit interpretive or cooperating associations for more than 40 years .
Interpretive associations engage in a wide variety of activities that include:
- Producing interpretive and educational materials such as natural history guidebooks, and selling interpretive, educational, and theme-related merchandise
- Collecting and allocating donations to agency projects
- Assisting with special events, volunteer programs, and interpretive and educational programming
- Donating materials for interpretive programs, products, and exhibits
- Strengthening the Forest Service's relationship with citizens and organizations in the local community
While the Forest Service has partnerships with a variety of organizations, businesses, and user groups, its relationship with interpretive associations is special. This unique relationship is recognized in agency policy that allows for such arrangements as having sales and office space within agency facilities, using agency employees to conduct interpretive association business on an incidental basis, and providing associations with discount prices on the purchase of agency maps. The relationship is synergistic, providing mutual benefits and serving our National Forest System visitors. Interpretive associations support the agency's interpretive and educational programs and provide high quality service to its visitors.
Currently, the Forest Service has about 60 interpretive associations operating under Participating Agreements. Some of these associations are large organizations that operate in several Regions and also work with other federal or state agencies. Other associations are small organizations that operate locally within a single National Forest. Nationally, interpretive associations donate about five million dollars back to the Forest Service each year. Their in-kind contributions and ability to strengthen and support the agency's relationships with local communities are invaluable.