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.