Regional Partnerships
Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) is a coalition of groups, including citizens, the coal industry, and government dedicated to restoring forests on coal mined lands in the Eastern United States. ARRI seeks to change the existing Cultural, Technical, and Regulatory barriers surrounding the forestry reclamation of coal mined lands. Culturally, it intends to change the perception that tree planting is more expensive and risky than conventional reclamation, provide education on the impacts of compaction and change the perception of what good forestry reclamation should look like. Technically, it seeks to eliminate excessive surface compaction, ground cover competition, and inappropriate growth medium. Finally, ARRI seeks to change the perception that regulations impede effective reforestation techniques and interfere with bond release.
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
State, provincial, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies in North America have safeguarded fish and wildlife for over 100 years. The public entrusts these agencies with primary stewardship over vital wildlife resources. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies lends collective voice to its agencies in fulfillment of that responsibility.
Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI)
A partnership of diverse interests with a common goal of restoring historic red spruce-northern hardwood ecosystems across the high elevation landscapes of Central Appalachia. It is comprised of private, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations which recognize the importance of this ecosystem for its ecological, aesthetic, recreational, economic, and cultural values.
Central Hardwoods Joint Venture
The Central Hardwoods Joint Venture (CHJV) is a partnership of state and federal government agencies and non-governmental organizations who work together to ensure the long-term viability of native bird populations. CHJV concentrates conservation efforts over an area comprising 75 million acres of rolling hills covered with hardwood forests interspersed with glades and woodlands and crisscrossed by deep river valleys. The area includes the Ozark Highlands, Boston Mountains, and Interior Lowland Plateaus. To protect native bird species throughout their ranges, the JV works with partners in Mexico and Canada in areas that these birds use for breeding or over-wintering.
Cooperative Research Units
The Cooperative Research Unit program was established in 1935 to enhance graduate education in fisheries and wildlife sciences and to facilitate research between natural resource agencies and universities on topics of mutual concern. Today, there are 40 Cooperative Research Units in 38 states. Each unit is a partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey, a State natural resource agency, a host university, and the Wildlife Management Institute. Cooperative Research Units conduct research on renewable natural resource questions, participate in the education of graduate students, provide technical assistance and consultation on natural resource issues, and provide continuing education for natural resource professionals.
Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture
A diverse group of partners, including state fish and wildlife agencies, federal resource agencies, academic institutions and private sector conservation organizations are working to conserve Eastern brook trout and their habitats. Established as the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV), this Fish Habitat Partnership has already produced a range-wide population assessment of brook trout; completed extensive work that identifies key threats to brook trout and their habitats; and developed conservation strategies to protect, enhance and restore brook trout.
Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC Net) exists to support and connect people and communities working on wildfire resilience. It offers community-based leaders resources, tools and connections to reduce their wildfire risk and increase community resilience. FAC Net is a catalyst for spreading fire adaptation practices and innovations nationwide.
Gopher Tortoise Council
The Gopher Tortoise Council was formed in 1978 by a group of southeastern biologists and other citizens concerned with the decline of the gopher tortoise. The goals of the Council are: (1) to offer professional advice for management, conservation, and protection of gopher tortoises; (2) to encourage the study of the life history, ecology, behavior, physiology, and management of gopher tortoises and other upland species; (3) to conduct active public information and conservation education programs; (4) to seek effective protection of the gopher tortoise and other upland species throughout the southeastern United States.
Great Basin Fire Science Exchange
The Great Basin Fire Science Exchange (GBFSE) connects land managers and scientists to improve pre- and post-fire management decisions by providing relevant information and access to technical expertise. This project is one of 15 regional Fire Science Exchanges funded by the Joint Fire Science Program.
Mainspring Conservation Trust
Mainspring is the land trust in the Southern Blue Ridge mountains, which spans seven counties: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain in North Carolina, and Rabun County, Georgia. Its goal is to conserve and restore the lands and waters of the Southern Blue Ridge, and to connect the people to these natural treasures. Formed in 1997 by a group of visionaries, this organization grew into the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee, until it transitioned to Mainspring Conservation Trust in 2016.
North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative
The North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) is a network of individuals from agencies and organizations focused on improving aquatic connectivity across a thirteen-state region.
Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Delivering science to help fish, wildlife, water, land, and people adapt to a changing climate.
Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science
The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) is a collaborative effort between the Forest Service, universities, and forest industry to provide information on managing forests for climate change adaptation, enhanced carbon sequestration, and sustainable production of bioenergy and materials. NIACS builds partnerships, facilitates research, and synthesizes information to bridge the gap between carbon and climate science research and the information and management needs of land owners and managers, policymakers, and members of the public. NIACS leads the Climate Change Response Framework in the Central Appalachians, Central Hardwoods, and Northwoods. The Framework is a collaborative, cross-boundary approach among scientists, managers, and landowners to incorporate climate change considerations into natural resource management.
Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership
The Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (ORBFHP) was formed to protect, restore, and enhance priority habitat for fish and mussels in the watersheds of the Ohio River Basin. They pursue this mission for the benefit of the public and the diverse basin itself. The partnership encompasses the entire 981 miles of the Ohio River mainstem (the second largest river in the U.S. as measured by annual discharge) and 143,550 square miles of the watershed. Whether it is sport fish, mussels, imperiled fish, water quality, or one of many other drivers, the ORBFHP works together to protect, restore, and enhance the Basin's aquatic resources.
Pennsylvania Sea Grant
The Pennsylvania Sea Grant (PASG) promotes the sustainability of Pennsylvania’s ecological and economic coastal and watershed resources through science-based research, education, and outreach. Major Geographic Focus Areas include the Lake Erie, the Delaware River, and the Susquehanna River watersheds.
Sentinel Landscapes Partnership
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations that works with private landowners to advance sustainable land management practices around military installations and ranges. Founded in 2013 by the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior, the partnership’s mission is to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural and forestry economies, and increase climate change resilience.
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership
The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) is a regional collaboration of natural resource and science agencies, conservation organizations and private interests developed to strengthen the management and conservation of aquatic resources in the southeastern United States.
Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS)
The mission of SERPPAS is to seize opportunities and solve problems in ways that provide mutual and multiple benefits to the partners, sustain the individual and collective mission of partner organizations, and secure the future for all the partners, the region, and the nation. This mission will be accomplished through identifying opportunities for mutual gain among all partner groups, effectively addressing differences among the partners, and focusing on identifying solutions to complex problems.
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA)
The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) is an organization whose members are the state agencies with primary responsibility for management and protection of the fish and wildlife resources in 15 states, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Member states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative
The Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative (SEHCI), a collaboration between Defenders of Wildlife, NRCS and other conservation partners to support farmers using conservation practices on their lands that help restore hellbender habitat.
