Description
Background: The first annual Workshop of the Montana Forest Collaboration Network (MFCN) was convened in Helena, Montana on December 5-6, 2016. This Workshop introduced the new organization to the citizens of Montana and to the many participants in collaborative groups across the state engaged in natural resources management. Nearly 100 people joined the Workshop over the two-day period in reviewing progress within their own local groups, and offering advice to guide the formation and operations of this new network that will assist collaborative groups in forest and grassland conservation and resource utilization for the benefit of the public. The MFCN tackled difficult resource management issues in a new manner. The collaboration method helped to identify and solve issues from the different perspectives of the participants. Representatives of 17 different collaborative groups across Montana came to the podium to identify their successes, challenges, and suggestions for how a new statewide network could support their operations. The Montana/Dakotas Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is a member of the MFCN which includes community based collaboratives, conservation organizations, private landowners, forest product industries, State and Federal agencies. The BLM has provided technical information to assist with the development of the organizations charter and explain federal procedures such as NEPA planning. Broad ranges of topics are discussed at the Workshop such as, an integration of ecological, economic and social goals, a willingness to collaborate in good faith, a willingness to come to consensus recommendations, and a desire to utilize forest wood products while conserving and sustaining ecosystems. The main principles of MFCN are that it encourages diversity, transparency, and inclusion. This collaboration allows for combining different forms of expertise, but more importantly, it brings out everyoneâ¿¿s shared values. The forum created by the MFCN extends what has been built by Montananâ¿¿s over the years to advance these shared values, and it offers one of our best opportunities to move ahead with a mutual respect. Objectives: To support the Montana Forest Collaboration Network in order to strengthen existing community based collaborative organizations and increase collaborative capacity. This increase in capacity will result in more forest treatments across Montana landscape. The Recipient shall assist the MFCN collaborative through the following actions: 1. to identify ways to serve collaborative groups; 2. to share best practices and learn from one anotherâ¿¿s accomplishments and challenges; 3. to support opportunities that will help with relationship building; and 4. to discuss the successes of organizations and people when they work together and how they can be made more productive. The Recipient through MFCN shall host an annual meeting open to all participants of community based collaborative groups, such that its services can keep up with the dynamic demands and interests of local groups. Specifically, the following tasks will assist the MFCN: in carrying out its mission: 1. Internal Communication â¿¿ Offering information to collaborative groups; 2. External Communications â¿¿ Promoting collaboration across the state; 3. Generate tools, techniques, and workshops to support best practices in collaboration; 4. Advocate for funding for collaborative groups. Public Benefit: The MFCN fosters cooperation, expands zone of agreement, helps craft forest landscape vision, makes treatment recommendations to the agencies,encourages use of local work force and builds common understanding of collaboration. A benefit of the collaboration process is learning from each otherâ¿¿s challenges and successes. The collaboration process exemplified by the MCFN is an effective method of public land management. The public will benefit as projects move from ideas to â¿¿boots on the groundâ¿ more efficiently. Successful outcomes from this collaboration effort include better communication; brokered agreements; support of agency officials during legal challenges; community driven development of conservation and forest management plans; and providing input and feedback to agencies.