The Partnerscapes Blog by Steve Jester
Partnerscapes in Washington DC
Partnerscapes board members and staff traveled to Washington DC in early May primarily to meet with some of the agencies that work in partnership with private landowners to achieve shared goals. Congressional action dating back to the last few days of the previous Congress has seen a major increase in conservation investment, much of which federal agencies are struggling to effectively implement across the country. The combination of vastly increased project resources coupled with an ever-decreasing federal capacity to implement projects have shone a bright light on the increased need for effective partnerships with landowners and nongovernmental organizations as well as the need for increased partnership and coordination between federal agencies and state and local governments.
We met with a number of people who are doing their best to effectively deliver the once-in-a-lifetime level of funding for work on the ground. It was heartening to hear about the thought and effort that have been put into making it easier for USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service–Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to partner up to increase the pace of conservation implementation. Innovation within government and a greater emphasis on partnerships among a broad range of perspectives will be absolutely essential to meet the national implementation challenge. Partnerscapes will continue to reach out to all the partners to offer our assistance and do what we can to help make this unprecedented opportunity an unprecedented success for our working landscapes and the people and resources found within them!
