INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT IN NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

This series of vignettes capture different ways that collaboratives have engaged with Forest Service management activities at different points along the planning and implementation timeline. Examples include collaborative support with surveys and data collection and improving sale economics through support of appraisal and sale design, and cross-boundary monitoring support.

UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDER EXPERIENCES WITH LONG-TERM, LANDSCAPE-SCALE STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTING IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

This new report, produced with partial support from RVCC, examines partner perspectives on working with the Forest Service through long-term stewardship contracts and master stewardship agreements in the Pacific Northwest. These large projects seek both restoration and community economic outcomes. This review covers topics of innovation, community benefits, the roles of partnerships and collaboration, use of best value criteria, pricing and costs, and interaction between agency staff and external partners or contractors; and offers new implications for policy and practice. Author Emily Jane Davis is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at Oregon State University and Co-Associate Director of the Ecosystem Workforce Program.

Review on Recreation Impacts: 2021 Recommendations

Public lands and rural communities across the West saw a surge in visitation last summer as people sought ways to safely vacation and recreate amidst Covid-19 restrictions. In January, RVCC and the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative gathered more than two dozen rural stakeholders and Forest Service staff for an 'After Action Review' to discuss local impacts, challenges, and lessons learned from 2020 related to recreation during this pandemic. In addition to sharing experiences, we exchanged strategies and recommendations for adapting to and better preparing for recreation in the year ahead. As a result, RVCC has created our Review on Recreation Impacts: 2021 Recommendations. Produced February 2021.

Implementation Partnership Opportunities in the Pacific Northwest

An Assessment of Current and Potential Capacities of Community-Based Nonprofit Organizations

The purpose of this assessment was to understand the current capacity and future interests of CBOs in participating in the implementation of management activities on national forest land in Region 6. RVCC partnered with Dr. Emily Jane Davis to assess capacities of community-based nonprofit organizations and how they engage with the implementation of federal land management under newer partnership efforts such as the USDA Forest Service’s Shared Stewardship initiative. This is intended to inform the ongoing work of Shared Stewardship in Region 6, and to recognize the capacities and needs of CBOs for meaningful partnership with federal agencies. Produced September 2020.

Implementing Outcome-Based Performance Measures aligned with the Forest Service’s Shared Stewardship Strategy

The purpose of this report is to help the Forest Service consider options for implementing a new set of outcome-based performance measures that align with the intent of the Shared Stewardship Strategy to work in greater partnership with external stakeholders. RVCC partnered with Anna Santo and Heidi Huber-Stearns with the Ecosystem Workforce Program to compile relevant considerations from existing literature and key stakeholder feedback for the Forest Service to use as they proceed with modifying performance measures to evaluate the use of partnerships and collaborations. Produced September 2020.

How Do We Accomplish All Lands Management?

Direct Insights from a Survey of Practitioners

Despite significant interest in all-lands management of natural resources, there is a lack of research and information about how these projects actually function. RVCC partnered with Dr. Emily Jane Davis to survey and gather the experiences and lessons learned from all-lands management practitioners in order to improve practice, foster peer learning, and inform supportive policy. Produced October 2017.

ALL-IN: All-Lands Learning & Innovation Network Summary

The All-Lands Learning & Innovation Network (ALL-IN) is a peer-learning effort that supports successful all lands planning and implementation and improves practice through multiple tools, strategies, and resources and fosters successful projects and outcomes through a multi-pronged approach. Learn more about ALL-IN in this two-page summary. To read our complementary All-Lands issue paper, head over to our Policy Publications. Produced March 2019.

Shared Stewardship Workshop Summary

The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC) hosted a workshop on October 1st, 2019 in Missoula, Montana to help inform the Forest Service’s approach to shared stewardship by gathering community-based organizations and forest collaboratives from multiple Western states. The workshop aimed to move beyond the high-level vision and concept, to actionable ideas & constructive feedback. Participants included a mix of state and federal agency representatives, community members and members of forest collaboratives from nine Western states, as well as Washington, D.C. Produced October 2019.

Shared Stewardship Recommendations: Partnering with Community-Based and Collaborative Groups

RVCC is concerned that bilateral agreements between state and federal entities might undermine the critical roles that diverse collaboration and partnership efforts have played in improving forest management for more than a decade. To address these concerns, we have developed recommendations for partnering with community-based and collaborative partners. Produced March 2020.