Protecting America’s Backyard National Forest Foundation

Protecting America’s Backyard

National Forest

Foundation


The National Forest Foundation

Formed by Congressional charter in 1991, the National Forest Foundation engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System.


The Many Values of America’s National Forests

At 193 million acres, America’s National Forests and Grasslands provide treasured natural lands and critical resources for the entire nation.

•Drinking water for 66 million Americans

•Habitat for 10,000 species of plants and 3,000 species of fish and wildlife.

•Recreation for 400 million visits by outdoors enthusiasts and tourists annually

•Carbon sequestration to help mitigate climate change and clean pollutants from our air.


Our Shared Accomplishments

• Completed more than 1,500 conservation and stewardship projects.

• Repaired and improved more than 10,500 miles of hiking trails.

• Restored more than 117,000 acres of wildlife habitat and treated 80,000 acres of noxious weeds.

• Engaged over 120,000 volunteers, valued at more than $33.5M

• Planted more than 4.3 million trees and shrubs.

Working through a combination of on-the-ground conservation initiatives, grant programs and technical assistance, Since 2001, NFF and our partners have:


To accomplish our mission, the NFF engages:

• Communities

• Grassroots organizations

• Local government

• U.S. Forest Service

• Volunteers

• Corporate partners

America’s National Forests are the people’s lands. Therefore, the NFF focuses on bringing people together to ensure the future of all the values and benefits these public lands provide.

Success through Partnership

From ranchers to anglers, community leaders to skiers, we all have a stake in the future of our National Forests.


Adding Value

We bring added value to our conservation work by always striving to fill unmet stewardship needs as we:

• Unite diverse stakeholders• Restore ecosystems• Engage Americans in conservation• Sustain community-based

stewardship


Our Colorado Program

• Arapaho-Roosevelt

• Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison

• Medicine Bow-Routt

• Pike-San Isabel

• Rio Grande

• San Juan

• White River

• Ski Conservation Fund

• Forest Stewardship Funds

• Treasured Landscapes

• Collaborative Support

• Corporate Partnerships






• Pike-San Isabel

• Rio Grande

• San Juan

• White River







WRNF Ski Conservation FundEstablished in 2006

•Partnership with Vail Resorts, Copper Mountain, and A-Basin

•Over $3M invested in the WRNF

•Over 75 stewardship projects completed

•Grants to 19 separate nonprofit organizations 2013 Project Partners

•Blue River Watershed Group

•Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

•Colorado Mountain Club

•Colorado Natural Heritage Program

•Eagle River Watershed Council

•Friends of the Dillon Ranger District

•Friends of the Eagle Nest Wilderness

•Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers

•Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

•Rocky Mountain Youth Corps

•Student Conservation Association

•Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

•Walking Mountains Science Center

•Wildlands Restoration Volunteers






• Pike-San Isabel

• Rio Grande

• San Juan

• White River







Forest Stewardship Funds

A Perfect Fit for NFF:

•Our Approach – Unite, Restore, Engage, Sustain

An opportunity for recreation-based businesses and communities to invest in the lands they depend on•NFF partners with forest-dependent businesses

•Businesses collect micro-donations from guests and patrons

•Funds are pooled together and awarded to accomplish on-the-ground stewardship


The Summit FundAn opportunity for Summit County businesses

•Invest in their local National Forest and their tourist industry

•Demonstrate their commitment to stewardship and the environment

•Expand their marketing opportunities

•Support community organizations and volunteerism

An opportunity for Summit County nonprofits, residents, and visitors

•Increased stewardship activities

•Greater opportunities for volunteerism and engagement

•Enhanced recreation opportunities

•A chance to give back






• Pike-San Isabel

• Rio Grande

• San Juan

• White River






Protecting America’s Backyard 14

Treasured Landscapes

The NFF has expanded its programs to address the critical forest and watershed restoration needs across millions of acres nationwide.

Campaign Goals:

• Nurture more resilient ecosystems

• Restore landscapes damaged by wildfire, insects, disease and other disturbances

• Invest in the strength of communities

• Help the American public to appreciate all that National Forests offer, building lasting connections with these lands

Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences Conservation Campaign

Hayman Restoration Partnership: Pike NF

Camp Hale-Eagle River Headwaters: White River NF






• Pike-San Isabel

• Rio Grande

• San Juan

• White River







Collaborative Support

The NFF’s non-advocacy nature allows us to bring diverse stakeholders together to reflect on their values and work toward zones of agreement, resulting in lasting restoration and stewardship strategies.

The NFF supports collaboration through:

• Funding collaborative conservation initiatives

• Conservation Connect – a learning network for community-based groups and FS employees

• Expert facilitation and training for community-based stewardship






• Pike-San Isabel

• Rio Grande

• San Juan

• White River







Benefits to Corporate Partners• Tangible demonstration of commitment to environmental stewardship

• Recognition in magazine, on website and social media, in annual report, through other communications

• Assistance with media events, press releases, and public outreach

• Environmental benefits

• Tax-deductible contributions

• Trees for US• Carbon Capital Fund• Friends of the Forest Days• Custom Partnerships

Corporate Partnerships










Verified carbon offsets through reforestation of National Forest lands•Projects occur in areas where natural disasters have significantly reduced forest cover

•The NFF is the only organization with authority to implement carbon demonstration projects on NF lands

•The NFF provides high quality non-tradable, non-compliance carbon offsets

•All projects undergo third-party review against rigorous forest carbon standards

•Two types of offsets: registered offsets and non-registered offsets

•Prices vary –$6-$12 per metric tonne CO2e – depending on location and type of offset

Carbon Capital Fund

8 Carbon Demonstration Projects•2008 – Custer NF•2009 – San Bernardino NF•2009 – Plumas NF•2010 – Angeles NF•2011 – San Juan NF•2012 – Angeles NF•2012 – San Juan NF•2013 – San Juan NF

Total investments of nearly $5M•Key partnerships with Chevy, Disney, El Paso Pipeline, and others







• Trees for US• Carbon Capital Fund• Friends of the Forest

Days• Custom Partnerships











Working with corporate partners to identify win-win projects

Custom Partnerships

Laramie Energy•5-year partnership to enhance winter habitat for mule deer on the White River National Forest

Vail Resorts•4-year partnership to develop a habitat fund and lynx research study on the White River National Forest


For Further InformationFor more information about the National Forest Foundation, please contact us:

Marcus SeligDirector, Colorado [email protected]

THANK YOU!

Documents

Protecting America’s Backyard National Forest Foundation