US Forest Service Partnerships

National Fish Habitat Partnership WorkshopNational Harbor, Maryland

November 2, 2014

Importance of FS lands to the nations water supplyFS manages largest single

source of water within the US – 20%

Water from NF lands serve 66 million people in 33 states

Portland, Denver, LA, Atlanta receive significant portion of water from FS lands

Value of water flowing from FS lands estimated at $7.2 billion

Importance of FS lands to fish 220,000 miles of fishable streams Habitat for 62% of ESA-listed fish and 79%

of ESA-listed freshwater mussels and clams 36 million people visit national forests and

grasslands annually to fish, hunt, and/or view wildlife.

Fishing, hunting & wildlife watching contributed $7.7 Billion to U.S. communities, supported 150,000 jobs

Fishing contributed $2.2 Billion, supported 57,700 jobs

All Forest Products, by comparison, contributed $2.7 Billion, supported 42,000 jobs

National Partnership OfficeDevelops capacity for the agency by

leveraging national level partnersCultivates new partnershipsManages critical relationshipsDevelops resources for the fieldContributes to youth and veteran

programs.

Importance of PartnershipsFS has established a Public-Private

Partnership (P3) Strategy.The P3 Strategy identified a suite of

national-scale public-private partnerships that have become the agency’s high-performance partnerships (HPPs).

Half of these HPPs relate directly to water.

Coca Cola has been one of the most successful HPP’s.

Made successful through the engagement of other organizations including NFF, NFWF, and local governments and nonprofits.

Coca Cola – Forest Service PartnershipCoke approached USDA and

FS about partnership opportunities in Dec. 2011.

First replenishment projects began in 2012.

MOU signed Sept. 13, 2013.So far 9 projects have been

completed or underway on 7 National Forests across the US.

NFF has been a key partner.

Osborne Creek Bridge ProjectBefore After

Osborne Creek ResultsOpened up 8 miles of

streamSteelhead able to

migrate upstream to spawn

Early evidence suggests increase in diversity of macroinvertebrates

This spring, bridge will be completed on Brayton Creek that will open up 17 miles of stream and 62 acres of lake

Value of Corporate Partnerships

Helps meet organizational goals.

Contributes to image enhancement.

Each organization advocates for the other.

Wide exposure.Organizational branding.

Thoughts on Public Private PartnershipsNeed to understand

organizational goals of a potential partner.

Mutual interests are essential.Takes time to cultivate

relationship.For the FS, it has been essential

to have NFF and other nonprofits involved.

Varying degrees of understanding of restoration.

Project development can be slow.Private partners have to be

patient in working with feds.

Thanks!