In her classic book, Collaborating, Barbara Gray defines collaboration as “a process through which parties who see different aspects of a problem can constructively explore their differences and search for solutions that go beyond their own limited vision of what is possible.”
Collaboration contributes significantly to effective and sustainable public land management. Understanding the expectations, opportunities, and challenges associated with collaboration is extremely important for land managers and for interested stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to help people think strategically about the value of collaboration—what is it, when does it make sense to invest the time and energy in it, and how to begin to incorporate a collaborative approach?
This paper is based on lessons learned and written by the USDA Forest Service National Collaboration Cadre. They worked with national forests, collaborative groups, and interested stakeholders helping them to engage in effective collaboration.
USDA Forest Service National Collaboration Cadre, January 2021
