Post on 12-Jul-2020
PARTNERS DAY 2012 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS AND SUMMARY
PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION & U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE PARTNERS FOR FISH & WILDLIFE PROGRAM &
YAGER/VAN DUZEN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS PRESENT
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InMay2008,theBlackfootChallengeandtheUSFishandWildlifeServiceMontanaPartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramhostedaconferenceentitledPartnersforConservationinSeeleyLake,Montana.Thepurposeoftheconferencewastobringtogetherprivatelandowners,conservationpractitioners,agencyrepresentatives,privatefoundations,andpolicy‐makerstodiscussthefutureofprivatelandconservationintheWest.
Theconceptofhostingaprivatelandsconferenceoriginatedfroma2006InnovationsinAmericanGovernmentAwardtotheUSFishandWildlifeServiceMontanaPartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramforcommunity‐basedconservationinpartnershipwiththeBlackfootChallenge,awatershedgroupintheBlackfootwatershedofwesternMontana.The$100,000awardfromHarvardUniversity’sJohnF.KennedySchoolofGovernmentwasusedtotransferthemodelofcooperativeconservation,buildtrustandpartnershipsbetweenprivatelandownersandpublicagencymanagers,provideconsensus‐basedsolutionstonaturalresourceissues,andrecommendwaystoimprovecooperativeconservationatlocal,regionalandnationalscales.
Thisfirstconferenceresultedinthefollowingkeyrecommendations:
Summarizetheconferencewithawrittenreport. Formanallianceofprivatelandownerstoleveragethepowerofpublic‐privatepartnerships. DemonstratesupportoftheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgram. Hosta2009conference. Seekfundingtosupportprivatelandowners’investmentoftimeandtravel. Sharesuccessstories,solutions,andresourcesacrossthepartnership.
Strategicactionwastakenaddressingeachoftheserecommendations,withthemostimportantactionbeingthedevelopmentofPartnersforConservation(PFC)in2010.PFCisaprivatelandownerorganizationwhichcommunicatesandcollaboratesonconservationpartnershipsforworkinglandscapestobenefitpresentandfuturegenerations.PFCprovidesthestructuretonetworkandshareinformation,leveragetoolsandresources,andacquiresupportatthenationalscaleforlocalinitiatives.PFCcurrentlyrepresentsprivatelandownersacross12
stateswhoshareavisionformaintainingthelong‐termhealthandproductivityoftheirworkinglandsandruralcommunities.PFC’sguidingprinciplesrevolvearoundthefollowingfivekeypillars:
1) Landowner‐led2) Collaborationgetsworkdone3) Locallessonshavenationalimpact4) Flexibilityshouldbepolicy5) Sustainabilityisabalanceof
economyandecology
SherryWhite,BranchChief,USFWSHabitatandRestorationandBillSproul,PFCBoardMember
PFCBoardofDirectors(fromlefttoright)RussellDavis,TudaLibbyCrews,JimFaulstich,TerryMansfield,HodKosman,BillSproul,DuaneCoombs,DinaMoore,DeanHuntandJimStone
Background
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Aftertheinitialconferencein2008,PFCandtheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramcontinuedtoteamuptohostaPrivateLandsDayeachyear(Colorado‐2009;Kansas‐2010;SouthDakota‐2011).Theconferencedemonstratesthevalueofmeetingface‐to‐facetobuildpartnershipsandcollaborateaboutprivatelandconservation.Eachyeartheeventfeaturesfieldtripstohighlightlocalpartnerships,conservationprojectsandworkingranchoperations,presentationsfrombiologistsandlandownerssharingsuccessesandlessonslearned,break‐outgroupstodiscussconferenceissuesinmoredepth,visitationwithlegislativeofficialsandprivatefunders,aswellasinvaluablesocialdinnersandevents.
Theexperiencesoflandowners,landmanagersandpublicpartnersattendingPrivateLandsDayresultsinlastingrelationshipsthatwouldotherwisenothaveformed,andbeginsthetransferofpersonalcooperativeconservationexperienceandknowledgetodifferentareasacrossthecountry.This“transferability”ofthecooperativeapproachtoconservationisagoalofthegatheringeachyear,creatingawarenessofandmomentumforprivatelandconservationacrossthenation.
“Wehavetocounttheaccomplishmentsof theprogramnotonly in thewildlifehabitatthat’sbeenrestored,butalso interms of the trust that has beendeveloped, and the relationships that’sbeenbuiltwithprivate landowners.Wehave somuch in commonwith privatelandownersbecauseweallcaresomuchabout what we are leaving for futuregenerationsofAmericans.”
‐NoreenWalsh,USFWSDeputyRegionalDirector,MountainPrairieRegion
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TheannualconferencewashostedOctober3rdand4thinFortuna,California.Thisyear,theYager/VanDuzenEnvironmentalStewards(YES),alandowner‐ledwatershedgroupofHumboldtCounty,California,providedkeyorganizationoftheeventwithcontinuedsupportbytheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgram.Additionally,newpartnershelpedhosttheeventthisyear,includingtheUniversityofCaliforniaCooperativeExtension,theNorthCoastRegionalLandTrust,HumboldtCountyCattlemen’sandCattleWomen’sAssociation,andAmericanAgCredit.Twolocalfoundations‐theHumboldtHeadwatersFundandtheMcCleanFoundation‐providedfunding.Inrecognitionoftheexpandingpartnership,theeventwascalled2012PartnersDay.
Thepurposeoftheeventwastobringprivateandpublicpartnerstogethertoengageininnovativeapproachestocommunity‐basedlandconservationtosustainhealthylandscapes,ecosystems,andthecommunitiesthatdependonthem.Atotalof133publicandprivatepartnersrepresenting21statesattendedPartnersDay,86ofwhomhadneverattendedaPrivateLandsDayeventpreviously.(seeAppendixforguestlist).
Animportantgoalofthisyear’seventwastohighlightlocalaccomplishmentsofcollaborationwithinHumboldtCounty.Bybuildingdiversepartnerships,landownersandmanagershavevoluntarilyandcollaborativelyimplementedconservationstrategies.OneoftheaimsofthefieldtriptotheVanDuzenRiverwatershed,YESlandowners’ranchesandtheBayviewpropertywastodemonstratethatconservationisbeingimplementedonworkinglandscapesthroughathoughtfulapproachofbalancingeconomicsandecology.Fieldtripshighlightingtheselocalsuccessesaswellaspresentationsanddiscussionswitharegionalandnationalemphasis,demonstratedthatconservingvaluableprivateandpublicresourcesishappeninginconjunctionwithimprovementsinproductivityandeconomicviabilityacrossthecountry.
DayOneHighlights
PartnersDaybeganonOctober3attheRiverLodgeConferenceCenterwhereparticipantswerewelcomedbyJimStone,MontanaRancherandPartnersforConservationChair,andDinaMooreandDeanHunt,HumboldtCountyRanchers,YESFoundingMembers,andPartnersforConservationBoardMembers.ThemorningsessionfeaturedcommentsfromSteveGuertin,RegionalDirectorfortheUSFWSRegion6,andapresentationaboutYESbyprivatelandownersandagencyrepresentatives.YESformedin1998inresponsetotheperceivedthreatofanEPAlistingoftheVanDuzenRiverWatershedanditstributaryYagerCreekassedimentimpaired.YESisalandowner‐ledwatershedgroupthathasspearheadedvoluntaryeffortstoimprovesalmonrecoveryhabitatwhilealsoensuringtheeconomicsustainabilityofmulti‐generationalrancheswithinthewatershed.
LeighPierre‐Oetker,ExecutiveDirectoroftheMcLeanFoundation
SteveGuertin,USFWSDeputyDirector
2012ConferenceSummary
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Afterthemorningsession,participantsspenttheafternoonattwouniquesites.AhighvistapointintheYager/VanDuzenWatershedwasusedtointroduceparticipantstothehistoryofranchinginthewatershedandoakwoodlandsrestorationefforts.Anumberofpublicandprivatepartnershelpedsharethestoriesofcooperativeconservationinthewatershed.Later,theBayviewPropertyonthecoastlineofHumboldtBayformedthesettingforparticipantstolearnabouttheprivatelandownerandlocalgovernmentcooperationthatdecidedthefutureofavaluedandpristinelandscape.Landowners,scientistsandgovernmentofficialsdiscussedthecurrentmultipleusesofthisarea,includingAleutianGooserecoveryhabitat,Cohosalmonhabitat,andlivestockgrazing.TheeveningfeaturedalivelysocialanddinneratMoonstoneBeachjustnorthofthecityofArcataatMerryman’sBeachHouse.
DayTwoHighlights
OnOctober4,themorningsessionfeaturedlandownerpresentationsrepresentingOregon,Florida,MissouriandColorado,whiletheafternoonshowcasedamixoflandowner,public,nonprofit,andfunderpresentationsincludingWalkingWetlandsoftheKlamathBasin,PartneringforCentralCalifornia’sRangelands,FamilyFarmAlliance,andReflectionsfromaRuralCommunityLeader:TheMcLeanFoundation.
Additionally,twobreakoutsessionswereself‐facilitatedtoexplore1),thedefinitionsofsuccessand2),thevaluesof“scalingup”conservationefforts.Groupswerecomposedof6‐10peoplefromavarietyofgeographicareasandpublic/privatesectors.Thesesessionsallowedparticipantstoreflectuponanddrawfromtheirpersonalexperienceswithconservationintheircommunitiestocollectivelyexploreanswerstothequestions.
Yager/Van Duzen Watershed and Hunt Family Ranch
StacyDavies,Rancher&MarketingDirectorofCountryNaturalBeef
“Scientistswhoaretrainedandworkinthefieldofconservationhaveknowledge thatasarancher Idon’t have. So these partnerships really givemeaccess to professionals in many different fieldsthat have helped us with management of theranch.”
‐StacyDavies
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Thefollowingincludesasummaryoftheresponses:
SESSION#1–WHATISSUCCESS? SESSION#2– WHATISTHEVALUEOF“SCALINGUP”? Sustainable:
o Relationships,builtontrustandarevoluntary
o Economicsandlivelihoodsthroughinnovation
o Environmentandwildlifehabitato Agricultureandworkinglandso Communities,families,andfuture
generations
Communicationto:o Reachthegeneralpublico Steerpeopletowardsthe“newwayofdoing
business”o Educatepeopleaboutworkinglandsand
conservationo Unifyandunderstand
Collaborationto:o Bringdiversepartnerstogethero Addressandsolveconflicto Buildrelationshipsandtrusto Definecommongoalsandmeet
commonobjectiveso Adapt
Heightenourunifiedvoiceandmessageto:o Increaseawarenessandrecognitiono Influencepolicy‐makersandfunderso Encourageflexible,voluntary,incentive‐based,
proactiveapproacheso Benon‐partisan/Transcendpoliticso Hearfromtheproducersandthepeople
workingonthegroundo Giveanidentity/facetoconservationissues
Sharingandtransferringsuccessstoriesandsolutionsto:
o Establishanationalmodelforconservationsuccess
o Encourageinnovationo Inspireotherso Createmomentumo Buildalliances
(Seetheappendixforacompletelistofresponses.)Theeveningfeaturedaclosingreceptionand25thAnniversaryCelebrationoftheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgram. Throughoutthetwo‐dayconference,participantswereabletobothshareandhearsuccessstoriesaswellaslessonslearnedfromotherpublicandprivatepartnerspracticingprivatelandconservation.By“transferring”theseexperiences,local,regional,andnationalparticipantslearnedinformationaboutspecificmanagementtools,techniques,fundersandtechnicalresourcesthatwillbenefittheirpartnershipsandeffortsathome.(SeetheAppendixforadetailedagendaoftheevent.)
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PFCcontinueditsannualtraditionofhostingaconferencetobuildtrustandrelationships,andtransferexperiencesandlessonslearnedincollaborative,community‐basedconservation.Outcomesandnextstepsarebasedontheserelationshipsandexperiences,andcultivatingthemin2013andthefuture.
Ashighlightedatthefirstconferenceheldin2008,acriticalmeasureofsuccessisthecontinuedexpansionofthenetworktoengageprivatelandownersandconservationpartnersincommunicationandcoordinationforworkinglandscapes.AkeyoutcomefromPartnersDaywasthat16newprivatelandowners,20newconservationpartners,and50newlocallandownersandcommunitymembersattendedtheevent.ThesenewpartnerswillcontinuetobeengagedincommunicationandcoordinationforworkinglandscapesthroughtheeffortsofPFCandstrategiccommunicationincludingmonthlyconferencecallsthroughouttheyear.
TherelationshipthatissharedbetweenPFCandtheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramisservingtopavethewayforexpandedrelationshipsofasimilarnaturewiththeUSDANatural
ResourcesConservationService.Asastrongpartner,PFChasandwillcontinuetosupportcriticalfederalprogramsandagenciesincludingtheUSDANaturalResourcesConservationServiceandFarmBillprograms.In2013,PFCwillremainengagedinreauthorizationoftheFarmBillandappropriationsforconservationprogramsthatsupportworkinglandscapes.
Forthefirsttime,theeventwashostedinanotherUSFishandWildlifeServiceRegion(Region1),creatingtheopportunitytorecognizethereachandeffectivenessoftheprogram.Moreover,the25thAnniversaryCelebrationofUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramprovidedanavenuetoreflectonandrecognizethismodelgovernmentagencyprogramwithacontinuedcommitmenttoensuretheprogramremainsfundedthroughchallengingfiscaltimes.In2013,PFCwillcontinuetosupporttheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifePrograminbothreauthorizationandappropriations.
PartnersforConservationenvisionsalandownermembershipthatencompassesall50states.HostingPartnersDayinHumboldtCountyprovidedPFCwiththeopportunitytosharetheprinciplesandculture
thatembodiestheorganization.Ithelpedtodemonstratetothiscommunitythevaluethatexpandednetworkscanhave.Itwasan
CaliforniaNRCSStateResourceConservationistTomHedt,PFCChairJimStone,PFC&YESSecretaryDinaMoore,USFWSHabitatRestorationDivisionChiefCarrieThompson,YESChair&PFCBoardMemberDeanHunt
OutcomesandNextSteps
“locallessonscanhavenationalimpact”
‐DinaMoore
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opportunityforlocallandownersandpartnerstohearstoriesfromothersindifferentregionssharingsimilarexperienceswithconservationsuccessesandvalues.ItalsoprovidedHumboldtCountytheopportunitytoshowcaseworkinglandscapes,proactivepartnershipsandagricultureinalightthatisnotfocusedonthemarijuanaindustry.Ofthenotableoutcomesidentified,itisnotedthatlandownersandpartnersattendingfromacrossthecountryhavenetworksandrelationshipsthatareworkingcollaborativelyonconservation.Whatmaybeseenasauniquepartnershiporrelationshiptoonegeographiccommunitymaybeoccurringelsewhere.Althoughlandscapesareasdiverseaspeople,the
challenges,obstaclesandsolutionstoimplementingsustainableconservationcanberemarkablysimilar,eveninstateswithcomplexregulatorysystemslikeCalifornia.
WhilePartnersDayhelpedtostrengthenexistingrelationshipsandbuildnewconnectionsitalsoservedtoenrichourunderstandingofthechallengesandopportunitiesfacingindividuallandownersandcommunitiesastheyseektomanageworkinglandscapeswithaneconomicallyandecologicallybalancedapproach.Effortswillbemadetobuildfromtheseoutcomesandimplementnextsteps.PFCanditspartnerswillseekfundingtosupporttheorganizationin2013,prioritizingthefollowingneeds:staffsupport,strategicplanning,andtheAnnualPartnersDay.Thankstothecontributionsofmanypartners,PartnersDayprovidesthecriticalopportunitytosharelocalconservationsuccessstoriesthathavenationalimpact.
WyomingLandownerSharonO'Toole,HumboldtCountyLandownerJohnRice,MontanaLandownerJimStone
“Among themost striking ‐‐and encouraging ‐‐ thingswe learnedwashowwhatmight first be experienced as threats emanating from implementation of theEndangeredSpeciesActorCleanWaterActcanbeturned intoagreatdealthat ispositive.Theycan ignitetheconveningof localstakeholderstocollaborateonwin‐win conservation efforts, yielding significant social and economic, as well asenvironmental,gainsforthecommunitythatwouldnothavebeenrealizedwithouttheneedtopreventorrespondtoanagencyaction.”
‐MarkJacobsMeridianInstitute
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TheBoardofPartnersforConservationwantstorecognizethegenerousandongoingsupportfromtheUSFishandWildlifeServicePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramwhichcontinuestoprovidecriticalfundingforPrivateLandsDayandPartnersDayeventseachyear.Theyareaninvaluablepartnerthatexemplifiesthemodelforsupportingrelationshipswithlandownerstoleadtolastingachievementsforworkinglandscapes.Additionally,manylocalpartnersplayedacriticalroleinbringingPartnersDaytoHumboldtCounty.Thosepartnerswerementionedabove,butcertainindividualsplayedakeyroleinshapingourunderstandingofcollaborativepartnershipsandenthusiasticallysupportingourvisionforPartnersDay2012.Theyinclude:ChrisHeppe,PaulaGolightly,LindsayGreen,DawnElsbree,LeighPierre‐Otker,YanaValacovich,LawrenceDwight,PeterBussman,AledaCloud,KimLucas,DanaHuntandMarkMoore.
1) PartnersDayAgenda
2) ParticipantList
3) PFC’s5Pillars
4) BreakoutSessionNotes
5) USFWSPartnersDayPressRelease
6) AGreeMeeting
FinalNotes
Appendix
ChrisHeppe,BureauofLandManagementAssociateFieldManager,ArcataFieldOffice
Appendix|1.1
PARTNERS DAY 2012
AGENDA River Lodge Conference Center
Fortuna, CA Wednesday 10/3
8:00 – 8:30 Registration; Coffee, Light Fare 8:30 – 8:45 Welcome 8:45 ‐‐‐ 9:00 Welcome to Humboldt County 9:00 – 9:15 Introduction of Dignitaries 9:15 – 10:15 Partners and YES story 10:30 Busses Leave River Lodge for Field Trip 12:00 Hunt Family Ranch
Introduction to Hunt Family Ranch, YES Watershed 12:20 – 12:40 Break and Pick up Bag Lunches 12:40 – 1:20 Lunch Presentations
Oak Woodlands Restoration 1:40 Busses Leave Hunt Family Ranch 2:00 Brief Stop at Grizzly Creek Park 2:30 1 bus to return to River Lodge so local guests can get vehicles 3:00 Bayview Property
Introduction to Property – City of Arcata
Aleutian Goose Success Story
Mixed Use – Fisheries Coho habitat
Livestock Benefits/Values 4:50 Busses leave Bayview 5:15 – 8:00 Dinner at Merryman’s
Appendix|1.2
PARTNERS DAY 2012 AGENDA
River Lodge Conference Center Fortuna, CA
THURSDAY 10/4
8:00 – 8:30 Registration, Coffee, light fare 8:30 – 8:45 Welcome 8:45 – 9:05 Introduction Dignitaries 9:05 – 9:25 US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program 9:30 ‐‐‐ 10:30 Landowner presentations Stacy Davies – Roaring Spring Ranch, marketing director for Country Natural Beef David & Doyle Durando – Florida Everglades
10:30 – 10:45 Break 10:45 – 11:45 Landowner presentations
George Seek – Landowner & Member of the Missouri Native Seed Association.
Russell Davis – Wineinger‐Davis Ranch, Recipient of 2012 Colorado Leopold Conservation Award 11:45 – 1:00 Working Lunch & Break out session # 1 1:15 – 1:45 Walking Wetlands Klamath Basin – win/win for wildlife and Farmers
Loren Ruport, USFWS & Marshall Saunton 1:45 – 2:30 Partnering for Central California's Rangelands
The California Rangeland Conservation Coalition ‐ Successes and Lessons Learned ‐ Pelayo Alvarez, Director, CRCC
From the Outside, In...A Local Perspective on the CRCC ‐‐ Vicky Dawley, of Big Bluff Ranch and District Manager, Tehama RCD
Turning Partnerships into Rangeland Conservation On The Ground ‐‐ Billy Grissom, San Felipe Ranch
Appendix|1.3
PARTNERS DAY 2012
AGENDA River Lodge Conference Center
Fortuna, CA
THURSDAY 10/4 Continued
2:30‐ 2:45 Break 2:45 – 3:15 Family Farm Alliance
Dan Keppen ‐‐ Executive Director & Sandy Denn holds a law degree and her husband Wally own and operate Snow Goose Farms near Willows in Glenn County.
3: – 3:45 Break out Session #2 3:45 – 4:15 Open Discussion Sharing by landowners/individual feedback 4:15 – 4:35 Reflections from Rural Community Leader
Leigh Pierre Oetker – Executive Director McLean Foundation 4:35 – 5:00 Partners for Conservation Lessons Learned and Wrap up 5:00 – 6:00 Reception 6:00 – 8:30 25th Anniversary Celebration ‐ US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program
Appendix|2.1
PartnersDay2012ParticipantList
OutofAreaAttendees:78
First Last Organization/Affiliation State
Susan Abele U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram NVBarbara* Allen‐Diaz UniversityofCaliforniaAgandNaturalResources CAPelayo* Alvarez DefendersofWildlife/CARangelandCoalition CAMatt* Baun USFWS‐ExternalAffairs VAGary Burnett BlackfootChallenge MTDuane Coombs Landowner NVAB Cox SandhillsTaskForce NETudaLibby Crews UteCreekCattleCompany NMJack* Crews UteCreekCattleCompany NMJamesL. Cummins WildlifeMississippi MSCalLee Davenport USFish&WildlifeService ORStacy* Davies RoaringSpringsRanch ORRussell Davis Wineinger‐DavisRanchInc. COVicky* Dawley TehamaCountyRCD CADrue* DeBerry U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram VASandy* Denn Landowner CASarah* Deumling Landowner ORDeb Dillree BlackfootChallenge MTDavid* Durando Landowner FLDoyle* Durando Landowner FLAli Duvall IntermountainWestJointVenture MTMike* Edwards U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram ORSumnerP.* Erdman UlupalakuaRanch HISteve* Erickson U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram MNJohn* Falen PublicLandsCouncil NVJim Faulstich Landowner SDCarol Faulstich Landowner SDAlan* Forkey NaturalResourcesConservationService CAKurt Forman U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram SDChristopher* Gambino MeridianInstitute DCBilly* Grissom Landowner CAJahn* Grissom Landowner CASteve Guertin U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram DCRonnieJ. Haynes U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram GATom* Hedt NaturalResourcesConservationService CADoug Helmers U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram IARay Hendrix Landowner NVJennifer Higashino U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram HI
Appendix|2.2
Matt Hogan U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram COMark Hogan U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram WYKathy Hollar U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram ORJohn* Holmquist Landowner MNDavid* Houghton NationalWildlifeRefugeAssociation DCMarkX.* Jacobs MeridianInstitute CAHeather Johnson U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram COMike Kelly SandhillsTaskForce NEHod Kosman PlatteRiverBasinEnvironments,Inc. NEMatt Lloyd U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram CAMurray* Lloyd SandCountyFoundation LATerry Mansfield Landowner WAStaunton* Marshall StauntonFarms CAJ.Scott Meidell HaleakalaRanchCompany HIWarrenJim Mickey EasternPanhandleConservationDistrict WVJoe Milmoe U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram VAGreg Neudecker U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram MTPatrick O'Toole Landowner WYSharon O'Toole Landowner WYJason* Pellitier TheNatureConservancy CAKathleen* Pollett U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram CADavidA.* Ross U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram ORLoren* Ruport U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram CAJohnE. Schmidt U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram WVSara Schmidt BlackfootChallenge MTChris* Seal U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram ORConnie* Seek Landowner MOGeorge* Seek Landowner MOBill Sproul Landowner KSPeggy Sproul Landowner KSKelly SrigleyWerner U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram MOCasey Stemler U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram COJim Stone Landowner MTCarrie Thompson U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram CAAnne* Truslow NationalWildlifeRefugeAssociation DCDave Walker U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram DCNoreen Walsh USFWS‐DeputyRegionalDirector COSherry* White U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram DCSheli* Wingo U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgram CADarrell Wood Landowner CA*Firsttimeattendees(36)
Appendix|2.3
HumboldtCountyAttendees:55
FirstName LastName Affiliation
Mark* Andre CityofArcataRex* Bohn CountySupervisorJennifer* Budwig McLeanFoundationPeter* Bussman LandownerDonna* Chambers HumboldtCountyResourceConservationDistrictDan* Cohoon HumboldtCountyResourceConservationDistrictGloria* Cottrell LandownerGraham* Cottrell LandownerKaren* Diemer CityofArcataJohn* Driscoll CongressmanThompsonLawrence* Dwight CaliforniaCattlemen2ndVPDawn* Elsbree HeadwatersofHumboldtDan* Gale U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgramPaula Golightly U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgramGreg* Gray U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgramShayne* Green NorthCoastRegionalLandTrustLindsay* Green NorthCoastRegionalLandTrustJill* Hackett LandownerSteve Hackett LandownerDoreen* Hansen HumboldtCountyResourceConservationDistrictChris* Heppe BureauofLandManagementJulie* Houtby AmericanAgCreditKen* Houtby LandownerCarolynn* Hunt LandownerDana* Hunt HumboldtCountyCattlewomen/LandownerDean Hunt LandownerJason Hunt LandownerScott* Hunt LandownerRich* Hunt landownerDoug* Kelly HumboldtFishActionCouncilHugo* Klopper PresidentHumboldtDelNorteCattlemen’sAssoc.Tom* Leroy PacificWatershedAssociatesKale* Low DalianesTravelKim* Lucas LandownerSusan* Marshall HumboldtStateUniversityMark* Moore LandownerDina Moore Yager/VanDuzenEnvironmentalStewardsLee* Mora LandownerEileen* Mora LandownerJulie* Neander CityofArcata
Appendix|2.4
*Firsttimeattendees(51)
Lisa* Perry HumboldtStateUniversityErik* Nelson RefugeManager,HumboldtBayNWRLeigh* PierreOetker McLeanFoundationChris* Ramsey CaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGameJohn* Rice LandownerJohanna* Rodoni BuckeyeJon* Sapper McLeanFoundationConor* Shea U.S.FishandWildlifeServicePartnersProgramAmber* Shows StudentHumboldtStateUniversityJon* Shultz NaturalResourcesConservationServiceMartha* Spencer CountyofHumboldtRyan* Sunberg HumboldtCountySupervisorYana* Valacovich UniversityofCaliforniaAgandNaturalResourcesAndy* Westfall LandownerMark* Wheetley CityofArcata
Appendix|3.1
PARTNERSFORCONSERVATION:5MESSAGEPILLARS
1.Wearelandownerled.Fewpeoplecanspeakmorecrediblyforthelandthanthosewhosustainablymaketheirlivesfromit.Landownershaveunique,oftenmultigenerationalperspectives.Wehaveinsightintowhatworksontheground,theeconomicsofconservation,thepeoplewhoaremostrespectedinourcommunities,theorganizationsthathavebeenmostcooperative,andtheconservationissuesmostinneedofaddressing.PartnersforConservationusesthatcrediblefirst‐handunderstandingtodevelopandfosterinnovativestewardshippractices,inspireotherforward‐thinkinglandownersandinfluenceprogramsandfundinginwaysthathelpensurethelandwecareforishealthyandproductiveforourfamilies,communities,countryandfuturegenerations.PROOF:Individualstories,scientificresults,listsofpartners,timeontheland.
2.Collaborationgetsworkdone.Mostpeopleregardlessofpoliticalaffiliationorbackgroundtendtoagreeon80%ofwhatmatterswhenitcomestoconservation.Wefocusonthat.Wehaveexamplesaroundthecountryofhowsimplyassemblinglandowners,localcommunities,agencypersonnel,politiciansandconservationgroupsatatablesolveddifferences,generatedsolutionsandledtotheimplementationofgoodwork—conservingvaluablepublicresourceswhileimprovingtheproductivityandeconomicviabilityoftheland.Webelievemoresuchcollaborationonmethods,policiesandresourceallocationwillyieldmoreofthesame—effectiveworkthatimprovesthequalityofthelandandtheoutlookoffuturegenerations.PROOF:Listsofpartners,workcompleted,FarmBill,growingranksoflandowners.
3.Locallessonshavenationalimpact.True,innovativelandstewardshaveanimpactbeyondtheirfences.Theirapproachcancauseaneighbortorethinkgrazingrotations.Itcanrevealadifferentwaytoconservebirdhabitat.Itcanconvincealandownersixstatesawaytoopenadialogwithalocalconservationgroup.ItcanreachallthewaytoD.C.tohelpshapepolicyandguideresourceallocation.PartnersforConservationworkstoaccelerateandbroadenthatimpactbybringinglandowners,agencypeople,conservationgroupsandpolicyinfluencerstoonetablewheretheycantransferthelessonsthey’velearnedandusethemtoguideandimprovelandpractices,legislationandfunding.PROOF:Stories,FarmBill,visitswithlegislators,partneragencyprogramchanges.
4.Flexibilityshouldbepolicy.Enablinglocaldecision‐makinginpoliciesallowscommunitiestodeterminewhatworksintheirbackyards.Ithonorstheknowledgelandownersandlocalagencypartnershavebuiltupoveryearsofactuallyimplementingprojects.Whereastop‐downregulationtendstoleadtolitigationandstalematesthataren’tgoodforthelandorthepeoplewhocareaboutit.PartnersforConservationisavoiceforthepowerandpotentialoflocaldecision‐making,voluntaryprojectsandflexibilityforprojectpartners.Wewanttobeheldaccountableforthequalityofourlandandjudgedbytheoutcomeofourwork.PROOF:Howflexibilityhasworkedontheland.5.Sustainabilityisabalanceofeconomyandecology.Thelandisourlivelihood.Aslandowners,wevaluewater,grass,wildlife,timberandsoilbecausetheysustainourfamilies,communitiesandwayoflife.Wewanttheseresourcestobehealthyandtocontinueprovidingforfuturegenerations.Therefore,PartnersforConservationchampionsabalancedapproachtoconservationthatimprovesandsustainsthehealthofland,whileincreasingproductivity.Moreover,weworktoensurestable,dependablesourcesoffundingforscience,stewardshipandwildlifeprogramsthathelpusachievethatbalancedapproach.PROOF:Showwherefundingbythepublicimpactspublicresources,localeconomy.
Appendix|4.1
October3,2012BreakoutSessionResponses–“Whatissuccess?”LandconservationGoodfoodforourfamiliesMakesforhappyfolks.Acommunitywithaunitedcommitmentto:‐asustainableplace‐basedeconomy;‐awillingnessto
listen,seektounderstandandpursuethetruth.Keepingprivatelandsprosperousbypromotingvoluntarypartnerships.Healthyfamiliesincommunitiesthroughsustainablehabitats.Economicandenvironmentalsustainabilitythroughcommunicationandeducation.Changingthemindsetfromtheoldwayofdoingbusinesstothenewwayofdoingbusiness.Ie,
collaborativecommunity0basedlandscapescaleapproaches.Andmovingfromconfrontationtocollaborationanddevelopingtrust.
Inmylocalareasuccessissustainability,trustandpartnerships.Workinglandscapesthatsupportsustainablecommunities,farmsandforests.Ongoingandopendialogueprogressingtowardsacommongoal.Enhanceandestablishrelationshipsthatleadtoanadaptiveprocessthateffectivelyaddresses
conflictandpromotescollaboration.Successissecuringatriplebottomline:1)improvingeconomics,2)improvingnaturalresources,
while3)valuingfamiliesandlocalcommunities.Peoplecanfindmutuallyagreedtowaystoworktogethertodefineandsolvecomplexproblems.Successis…sustainablelandscapesthatsupportprofitableagricultureandabundantwildlife.Successis…long‐termrelationshipbetweenlandownersandconservationpartnerstobuildmutual
trust.Restoresandprotectsbothworkinglandsandfishandwildlifehabitat.Keepingfarmersfarming…ranchersranching.Historicrurallifestyleremainingvibrantforfuturegenerations.Maintainingaruralvibrantlifestylewhileadoptinginnovativelandmanagementstrategiestosecureopportunitiesforfuturegenerations.
Connectingcommunicationsthatnaturalresourcesheatourhomes,feedourfamiliesandmaintain
ourcommunities.
Appendix|4.2
Establishmentofprofitable,sustainable,mutuallyenhancingrelationships.Diversegroupofpartnerscomingtogetheraroundacommongoalsandcommunicatingthatgoalto
thegeneralpublic.Meetingconservationobjectivesforfishandwildlifewhilemeetinglandownerobjectives,leading
torecognitionbythelargerpublicthatworkinglandscapesaretheanswertoconservation.
October4,2012BreakoutSessionResponses–“Whatisthevalueof‘scalingup’?”Tocreateacriticalmassandcreateapowerfulvoicethatwillincreaserecognitionandawareness
ofthevalueofworkinglandscapesandtheircontributionstosocietythroughaproactiveapoliticalgroupofdiverseproducers.
Thevalueisagreatercombinedvoiceforthecommongood:ecologicalandeconomicsustainability
andspeakstoflexibilitiesneededforeachlevel.Tocreatea“sharedsavingsaccount”ofsuccessstoriesandsolutionsforcommunity‐based
conservationtoinfluencedecision‐makersthatmakeandhaveimpact.Infoexchangeandtransferabilityandtargetinglocaleffortstorolluptoalandscapescaleand
scalingupleadstomoreunifiedvoiceandunifiedmessageleadstomorelikelypositiveoutcomesandgettingthemessageoutarethebenefitsofscalingup.
Scalingupgrassrootscreativedecisionmakingallowsforinformationsharing,synergy,sustainable
solutionsandbetterinformedpolicythatcanforgecoalitionsofcommunitiesthatmovebeyondadversarialrelationshipstoproductivecollaborations.
TosharelessonslearnedMomentumPowerinhavingaunifiedvoiceHavingtheabilitytoinfluencepolicyandfundingCreatinganew“norm”forcollaborationGivesa“face”slashidentitytoissues.Valuesofscalingupincludebetteropportunitiestoinfluencelegislation,regulations,fundingand
policy,andbuildingalliancesforcommonissues.Thescalingupofconservationeffortsallowsforlocalstakeholderpassionstobecomevisibleto
non‐agriculturalists,thusempoweringeffectivechange.
Appendix|4.3
Scalingupbringsacollectivevoicetovoluntary,incentive‐basedapproachisbetterpolicyforconservation.
Carryourmessagetoabroaderaudienceutilizingrelationshipstogeneratemutuallybeneficial
solutions.Weneedabiggerstick!Formingcommunitycollaborationsunifiesindividualsandbringsawarenesstohigherlevelsof
governmentwhichdevelopsproactivesolutionsratherthanenforcementofregulations.Venndiagramshowingtheintersectionof:national/regionalpolicy,effectivevoices,local
communityneeds.Whatdidyoualldo?Weareaimingforsuccess.Yourstorieshelpedme.Valueofscalingupdependsonthegoals:Wecanloseourvaluesthatmakeussuccessful.Staygroundedinourvaluesinordertobesuccessfulathigherlevels.Capitalizingonlocalsuccessesatregionalandnationallevelsallowsforthediffusionofideas,innovation,andlessonslearnedwhichestablishesnationalmodelforsuccess,ultimatelyaffectingpolicy.Relationshipspolicythatworks!Groundupwithautomaticbuy‐increatespoliticalsupportlocalcommunity‐basedconservationwillhelptranscendpoliticsinspiresothers!
Appendix|5.1
Conservation‐OrientedRanchersSeektoBuildMomentum–OneSuccessStoryataTime
ByMattBaun,USFishandWildlifeService
Landowner‐ledconservationprojectsonprivatelandsareincrediblyimportantforthefutureoffishandwildlifeandthefutureofranching.ThatwasthesentimentexpressedbydozensofrancherswhoattendedtherecentPrivateLandsDayeventheldlastOctoberinFortuna,California.
“Thegoalofthisgatheringistospreadthewordaboutcollaborativeconservationonalandscape‐basis,takingaholisticviewofwhat’simportantonthelandscape–naturalresources,familyandcommunity,”saidJimFaulstich,arancherfromHighmore,SD.“Oneofthethingsthatisreallyimportanttousiskeepingthenextgenerationontheland.Weareconcernedaboutthefutureofnotonlyourfamily,butthecareoftheland.”
Thetwo‐dayeventfeaturedfieldtours,workshops,storiesandpresentationsthatdescribedconservationsuccessstoriesonprivatelands.Animportantpartofthedialoguewasthatconservationsuccesscanbeachievednotbyregulationandlaws,butratherthroughtheeffortsandenthusiasmofindividualranchersandfarmersandsupportivelocal,stateandfederalagencies.
HumboldtCountyranchersDinaMooreandDeanHuntplayedhosttothemorethan150attendees–amixofranchers,agencyofficialsandotherconservationpartners.HuntandMooreledatouroflocalagriculturelandswhereimportantconservationsuccesshasbeenachievedtobenefitwildlife,endangeredsalmonandwaterquality.
Landownersthroughoutthecountryareincreasinglytakingaleadroleinprotectingwatershedsandwildlifehabitatsonprivatelyownedlands.Manyoftherancherswhoattendedthe2012Partner’sDayeventwereeagertobothsharetheirownuniqueconservationsuccessstoriesandhearandlearnfromtheexperiencesofranchersfromdifferentpartsofthecountry.
“Webelievethatlocallessonscanhaveanationalimpact,”saidMoore.Huntechoedthisbystatingthathehopestohelpspreadthewordby“educatingthegeneralpublicaboutthegoodthingswearedoingforthelandandforthewildlifetobenefitusandfuturegenerations.”
PartnersforConservationGainingMembersandMomentum
ManyoftheranchersandlandownersattendingthePartnersDayeventareapartofagrowingnationalorganizationknownasPartnersforConservation(PFC).Thegroupiscomposedofranchersandprivatelandownerswhohavehadsuccessinworkingcollaborativelywithfederalandstatenaturalresourceagencies.Oneofthegoalsofthisgroupistoexpandvoluntarylandowner‐ledconservationonprivatelandsthroughoutthecountry.
Inexchange,PFCmemberssaidtheywouldliketoseemoreflexibilityandpredictabilityinnaturalresourcepolicythatrecognizesabalancebetweenprotectingwildlifeandensuringthatthelandscapesremainproductive.
“Inmanycaseslandownerswanttomaintaintheintegrityoftheland,”saidTerryMansfield,arancherfromeasternWashington.“Rancherslovethelandscapetheyworkin;theywanttopreserveitbothforrightnow,andforfuturegenerations.”
Appendix|5.2
ManyranchersattendingthePartner’sDayeventsaidtheyfeltthatthevoluntaryconservationprograms,suchasthoseadministeredbytheService’sPartnersforFishandWildlifeProgramandUSDA’sNaturalResourceConservationService,offerthetypeofflexibilityandplain‐dealingthatrancherscansupport.
“Agencypartnersarethe‘science,’andIliketosaythatourlandownersarethe‘art’partofwhatwegetdone,andsoweneedtostepforwardandreallytalkaboutissuesandthewayswecanpartner,”saidJimStone,oftheRollingStoneRanchinwesternMontana.
AcattlerancherintheBlackfootwatershedinMontana,StoneisakeyfigureintheBlackfootChallenge–apartnershipofprivatelandowners,agencies,communities,landtrustsandconservationgroups.HeisaleadingvoiceforPartnersforConservationandhopesthatpastandfuturePartnersDayeventswillencourageotherrancherswithaninterestindoingprivatelandsconservationworktojointogethertopromotelandowner‐ledconservation.
“OnourranchinMontana,ifwearenotpartneringwiththesefolks–whetheragenciesornon‐profits–we’renotgoingtobeinbusiness.There’snotgoingtobeagenerationalexchangetoourkids,”Stonesaid.
StacyDaviesisarancherineasternOregon,nearthetownofFrenchglenintheshadowofSteensMountain.Henotesthatconservationprojectsontheranchhavebecomeanintegralpartofhisoperation.
“Intoday’sworldasalandowneranydecisionwemake,oractionwetrytotake,involvesmanyagencies,manydifferentparties,”saidDavies.“Scientistswhoaretrained,andworkinthefieldofconservationallofthetime,haveknowledgethatasarancherIdon’thave.Sothesepartnershipsreallygivemeaccesstoprofessionalsinmanydifferentfieldsthathavehelpeduswithmanagementoftheranch.”
PrivateLandsConservationBenefitAllofUs
Privatelandsandranchesarevitaltothefutureofruralcommunities.Landowner‐ledconservationisalsoabigdealforthefutureofconservation.Nearly73percentofU.S.landsareinprivateownership.Thevastmajorityoffederaltrustspeciesusetheseareasduringtheirlifecycle.
Intheyearsahead,therewillcontinuetobestressorsonfishandwildlifespeciesandthehabitatonwhichtheydepend.Itisalsothecasethatbudgetsforconservationprogramswillcontinuetobetightandpublicresourcescouldbelimited.
ButCarrieThompson,aRegionalCoordinatorforthePartnersforFishandWildlifePrograminSacramento,seesthismoreasanopportunityratherthananobstacle.
“Weasagenciesneedtolooktobemoreinnovative,andfindwaystomeetthisconservationchallenge,”saidThompson.“Theonlywaywearegoingtomeetourconservationgoalsisthroughpartnerships.”
Foraquartercentury,theUSFishandWildlifeServicehasrecognizedtheimportanceoflandowner‐drivenconservationprojectsthroughthePartnersforFishandWildlifeProgram.
Appendix|5.3
Sinceitsinceptionin1987,over44,000individualprivatelandownerpartnershipshavebeendevelopedwithmorethan3,000organizationsparticipatingintheseprojects.Amongthehabitatthat’sbeenrestoredonprivatelandismorethan3millionacresofuplands,1millionacresofwetlandsandover9,000milesofstream.
Injustthelastfiveyears,morethan3,200Partners’Programprojectsfocusedonprotectingendangered,threatenedandcandidatespecies;morethan4,500projectswereinitiatedtobenefitmigratorybirdsandmorethanonethousandprojectshavehelpedtorestoreournation’sfisheries.
NoreenWalsh,DeputyRegionalDirectoroftheMountainPrairieRegionfortheFishandWildlifeServicealsoattendedthePartnersDayeventsinFortunalastOctober.ShenotedthatthesuccessofthePartnersProgramandlandowner‐ledconservationcannotbemeasuredbystatisticsalone.
“Wehavetocounttheaccomplishmentsoftheprogramnotonlyinthewildlifehabitatthat’sbeenrestored,butalsointermsofthetrustthathasbeendeveloped,andtherelationshipsthat’sbeenbuiltwithprivatelandowners.WehavesomuchincommonwithprivatelandownersbecauseweallcaresomuchaboutwhatweareleavingforfuturegenerationsofAmericans.”
AllphotosgenerouslyprovidedbyJoeMilmoe,USFishandWildlifeService.