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| In praise of forest partnerships |
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| Partnerships with concerned individuals help keep our public lands pristine |
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 | | Jeff Walter | | Jeff Walter is the Ochoco National Forest Supervisor. He can be reached at: jwalter@fs.fed.us |
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The Ochoco National Forest has a long and rich history working with partners in accomplishing mutually beneficial resource management goals. The role of the Forest Service has expanded to include bringing people with interest in the outdoors together with the agency to accomplish on-the-ground community-based projects. Collaboration and partnership are the way of the future for the management of our nation's forests and grasslands.
The Ochoco National Forest is responsible for the administration of 800,000 acres in central Oregon, It is a great challenge to keep up with the demands of thousands of visitors and other multiple uses. Because these public lands belong to all of us, it's our responsibility to protect and use these lands wisely to ensure they remain a special place for the next generation of Americans.
The Forest Service addresses a wide range of urgent issues that come to our attention. Fighting forest fires, fixing or closing washed out roads, thinning forests to protect communities from wildfire, authorizing a power line to serve a community, and other similar activities keep employees busy.
Now imagine 10 times as many people, who care about the future of our forests, actively taking part in the care of public lands and resources? What can happen when an interest group shares the cost of a special project?
Just one group of 50 people working on a wildlife habitat improvement project for one day can create incredible results. We know the results, as we have hosted many such projects. When a non-profit organization decides to share the cost of a prescribed fire to enhance wildlife habitat, we can treat many more acres. A `Friends' group organizing a local volunteer group to patrol and protect archeological sites can mean the difference between a vandalized or intact site. A local trail group partners with a horseback group to pack in their tools and equipment to repair wilderness trails. A local conservation organization donates labor and equipment to install a riparian fence with materials provided by the Forest Service.
These are just a few examples of how many folks have made important contributions to worthwhile projects on your public lands. If more people and groups would take that step to become partners and advocates for national forests, we could multiply our accomplishments! The possibilities are endless, and both the forest and the people who come to enjoy it would benefit from these partnering efforts.
We all win when projects result in a cleaner campground, a well-maintained trail, better wildlife habitat, cleaner water, and better-informed visitors. Each of us has a chance to reach beyond ourselves and make a difference. If you or your group have an interest, or see a need you can fill by working with us, I encourage you to call the Ochoco National Forest to become involved in or start a partnership today.
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