Human Dimensions (HDgov)
The field of human dimensions (HD) includes diverse approaches for using social science to understand and improve environmental policy, practice and outcomes. Human dimensions inquiries strive to understand human traits and behavior and incorporate that understanding into environmental planning and practice. What is HDgov? HDgov is a comprehensive online portal providing easy access to publications, […]
Collaborative Practices in Strategic Planning
Is collaboration working? Is collaboration doing what we want it to do? Multiple use, multiple stakeholders, multiple needs and multiple interests requires working with other public agencies, tribal governments, nonprofits, businesses and the public. Today, land management necessitates collaboration in our everyday work. Collaboration supports a systems approach rather than a singular approach to managing […]
USDA Forest Service National Partnership Office
The Forest Service works to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Our partners are vital to accomplishing our mission and increase our productivity through collaboration on shared goals. Partners of the Forest Service include nonprofit and for-profit entities; rural, urban, […]
America’s Great Outdoors Initiative
Listen to these videos as a podcast. On April 16, 2010, President Obama launched the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Initiative and charged the Secretaries of the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality to develop a 21st-century conservation […]
Economic Profile System, Headwaters Economics
Customize and download socioeconomic reports for U.S. communities, counties, and states. The Economic Profile System is a free, easy-to-use tool that provides access to 17 socioeconomic reports. Customized reports are available for U.S. communities, counties, and states and can be downloaded as Excel or PDF files. Economic Profile System reports are based on credible public data sources such […]
USDA Forest Service Handover Memo
The Forest Service’s handover memo process enables an outgoing agency leader to share information with their replacement. The challenge of rotating Forest Service line officers is a well-known barrier to community and forest‐level collaboration. It takes time to develop good relationships, and when a key agency contact is transferred, a collaborative effort can stall out […]
Interest-Based Problem Solving
What is the difference between positions and interests? Positions are typically publicly stated outcomes that someone seeks and may be fairly extreme or absolute. Interests, by contrast, are reasons behind the positions, are initially not openly expressed, and may be far more nuanced than positions. Moving a dialogue beyond merely exchanging positions and into the […]
Understanding Collaboration
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, […]
Developing a Framework of Support around Partnerships and Relationships for Land Management Planning
Dessa Dale, USDA FS Public Engagement Specialist Mountain Planning Services Group, Regions 1 – 4 Montana
Youth Workforce Development: Two Tribal Partnerships
Danielle Bauman-Epstein, USDA FS Program Specialist – Grants and Agreements Six Rivers National Forest California
