Balancing Nature and Commerce in Communities that Neighbor Public Lands

Date:

Location:

USFWS National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV

Course Description:

During this 4 day course ‘teams’ will focus on the economics, natural resources and community character of their area and learn valuable partnership building skills. At the end of the four days, teams will leave with a specific action plan for implementing a collaborative project in their community.

Community Leaders & Citizens:

• Do you live in a community that borders a national or state park, wildlife refuge, forest or other public land?
  
• Is your community feeling the pressures of increasing tourism or rapid growth? Conversely, is your community seeking a viable mechanism to jump-start economic growth?
  
• Is your community concerned about losing its unique character and special places?
  
• Does your community want a better relationship with the managers of a neighboring public land?

Public Land Managers:

• Are you interested in improving communications and partnerships with nearby communities?
  
• Are you feeling the pressures of reduced budgets?
  
• Are you interested in addressing adjacent lands issues with nearby communities?
  
• Are activities outside of the public land you manage negatively impacting its resources?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then consider putting together a community team and attending this course!

Course Objectives:

• Describe the social, political, and economic characteristics of communities and their public land neighbors
  
• Identify the benefits of protecting and enhancing natural, cultural and visual resources of communities
  
• Describe approaches to land use and community planning, that provide common ground for conservation and development interests
  
• Identify opportunities for developing partnerships between communities and neighboring public land managers

Target Audience:

Participants will attend this course in teams comprised of generally 4 – 7 members consisting of public land managers, local business representatives/tourism councils, citizens, and others in public service roles.

Course Length:

4 days

Course Tuition:

Lodging and Meals Information:

$119/night at NCTC (*$109/night for FWS, NPS, and BLM employees)

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact Margarita Carey at (304) 876-7924 or mcarey@conservationfund.org

Other Information:

This course is offered in partnership with the National Park Service - Conservation Study Institute, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - National Conservation Training Center, and The Conservation Fund - Conservation Leadership Network.