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What we've heard
Across conversations with leaders from conservation, industry, Tribal communities, rural America, recreation, philanthropy, and government, several themes have consistently emerged.
The alignment and energy around these themes create a rare window of opportunity. There is meaningful common ground.The work now is to convert that shared momentum into practical, durable actions that can shape near-term decisions and guide long-term institutional change.
Key themes
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Broad desire for a high-functioning Forest Service with the tools, capacity, funding and support needed to meet today’s challenges and steward forests for future generations.
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The central importance of relationships rooted in community.
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A need for greater transparency, relevance, and trust within and for the agency.
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Strong interest in expanding shared stewardship and Tribal co-stewardship, and improving partnership models across jurisdictions to address issues like wildfire resilience.
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Creating a culture that supports innovation, implementation and learning, using science to inform decision-making, get work done on the ground, and adapt.
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Enthusiasm for a renovation mindset—carrying forward what works, transforming what does not, and creating new opportunities.
both durability and adaptation, with sustained relationships, policies and investments that people can count on and plan against, alongside systems that can learn and improve.
clear and consistent communications that build trust and engagement.
system and cultural shifts to ensure that work reflects community priorities and that partners are empowered to share decision-making, risk and responsibility.
As we create a path forward, leaders across our community emphasized the need for:
Recommendations
Friends of the Forest Service is working with partners to develop practical solutions based on common ground. Stay tuned for updated recommendations and our implementation paths.
