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Home , Arapaho National Forest, Colorado Mounted Rangers, White Mountain (Wyoming)

PARTNERSHIP Rocky Mountain Region Rocky Mountain Region National Forests and National Grasslands

Bighorn NF SOUTH DAKOTA NF

Shoshone NF Thunder Basin NG Fort Pierre NG

Buffalo Gap NG

WYOMING Oglala NG Nebraska NF Samuel R. McKelvie NF

Medicine Bow NF Nebraska NF

NEBRASKA

Routt NF Roosevelt NF Pawnee NG

Arapaho NF

White River NF

Grand Mesa NF

Pike NF KANSAS Gunnison NF San Isabel NF

Uncompahgre NF

Rio Grande NF

San Juan NF Comanche NG Cimarron NG Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Rocky Mountain Region 2

Rocky Mountain Research Station 8

Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests and Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre and Oglala National Grasslands 10 Black Hills National Forest 12 14

Shoshone National Forest 16

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin 18

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland 20 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests 22 Rio Grande National Forest 24 26 White River National Forest 28 Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands 30 Partnership / Agreement Summary 32

Partnerships are a key ingredient in the success of Forest Service Research and Development programs. The Rocky Mountain Research Station relies heavily on its partners to help develop and deliver knowledge and innovative technologies that improve and sustain our nation’s forests, rangelands, and grasslands. In addition to partnering with managers of our National Forests, our largest stakeholder group, we also work closely with: universities through numerous re- search joint venture agreements, other federal land management agencies, state and local agencies, industry, non-governmental organizations, tribal govern- ments, and international groups and organizations. This report highlights just a few of the many partners we rely on to be success- ful, such as: the Rocky Mountain Center, which provides fire weather intelli- gence and smoke forecasts for the western ; Colorado State Uni- versity’s work on declining populations of grassland birds; and the University of Colorado’s interactions with mountain homeowners to help develop wildfire programs. As challenges related to natural resources management become progressively more complex, the Rocky Mountain Research Station will increasingly look to our partners to help develop science findings that assist land managers and planners in making wise resource decisions.

Dave Cleaves Director, Rocky Mountain Research Station The past century’s far-sighted leaders imagined the kind of country they wanted to leave their grandchildren and built a vision of public lands owned and man- aged with care by the people. If you’re like me, you highly value our nation’s public lands—forests and grass- lands with beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, diverse recreation, wilderness, and more. Our employees are passionate about conserving the basic resources of air, soil, and water upon which all life, all habitats, and all uses ultimately depend. We reverently accept the charge to manage the national forests and grasslands for balanced multiple uses that leave a light touch on the land, and we know we do a better job with everyone’s help. That’s where partnerships come in. Everyone benefits when we team up to meet our visitors’ needs while monitoring and caring for ecosystems. This report recognizes our partners whose generous help expands our personal and organizational capacity to get things done; leads to better-informed deci- sions; and directs our resources and energies to the critical needs of the land and communities. Committed partnerships among federal, state, local, and private stakeholders will ensure our ancestors’ vision continues to be a reality for future generations.

Rick Cables Regional Forester

Partnership

Introduction

This document highlights a handful of the Proven success in collaboration and partner- many partnership success stories in the Rocky ship development is allowing us to address Mountain Region and Rocky Mountain Re- the ever increasing number and complex- search Station of the US Forest Service. In ity of issues facing our nation’s forests and fiscal year 2006 our partners provided an grasslands. estimated $57 million of both direct and in- The stories provided on the following pages kind contributions. Our partners –universities, are outstanding examples of what can be tribes, non profit organizations, corporations, accomplished. Just as substantial are the state, local and federal governments and hundreds more examples from 2006 and the individuals have donated their valuable time, thousands of partners working with the For- expertise and financial resources. Built upon est Service. Every attempt has been made to trust, mutual respect and a shared vision list all of our partners in the Region. As part- these partnerships have accomplished much. nerships change, grow and expand, so does They have built, improved and maintained this list. For many more stories and a detailed trails; improved fire management, air quality list of additional partners go to the Rocky and water quality; reduced fire risk; restored Mountain Region (Region 2) Website at natural areas and; provided alternative en- www.fs.fed.us/r2/partnerships. ergy sources for schools. Join us in reading this report and experience Most importantly they have demonstrated the power of people working together. ingenuity and a commitment to the steward- ship of our forests and grasslands.

 PARTNERS • Rocky Mountain Region

Adesta Communications, Inc Colorado Division of Emergency Mgmt Colorado Water Conservation Board Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology Community Agriculture Alliance American Fisheries Society Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Alliance American Forests Recreation Cortez Culture Center Army Corps of Engineers Colorado Division of Telecommunications Creede Repertory Theatre Atlantic City Historical Society Colorado Division of Wildlife Resources Business College Badlands Natural History Association Colorado Energy Mgmt and Conservation Denver Institute of Technology Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Unlimited, Inc University Colorado Geological Survey Ecological Society of America Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway Colorado Historical Society Ellsworth Air Force Base Council Colorado Mountain Club Federal Bureau of Investigation Center for Plant Conservation Colorado National Guard Federal Emergency Mgmt Agency/US Fire Central Federal Lands Highway Division Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition Administration Chadron State College Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Federal Emergency Management Agency City of Boulder, CO Wildland Fire Dept Preservation Fort Carson City of Douglas, WY - Historic Preservation Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board Fort Lewis College Commission Colorado Preservation Inc Earth Force Clear Creek County Colorado Public Utilities Commission Garna Colorado Water Conservation Board Colorado Rural Development Council General Services Administration Colorado Archaeological Society Colorado Ski Country USA Geological Society of America Colorado Avalanche Information Center Colorado Ski Museum/Colorado Ski Heritage GIS Institute Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Center Granary Memorial Gallery Inc Colorado Council for Professional Colorado Small Business Development Idaho Department of Fish and Game Archaeologists Centers Idaho Department of Lands Colorado Counties Inc Colorado State Forest Service Intermountain Forest Association Colorado Department of Agriculture Colorado State Historic Preservation Office Iowa State University Colorado Department of Natural Resources Colorado State University IT-National Information Technology Center Colorado Department of Public Health and Foundation Jefferson County Airport Environment Colorado Wool Growers Association Kansas State University Colorado Department of Public Safety Colorado/ Society of American KN Energy/Western Gas Supply Co and Colorado Department of Transportation Foresters Questar Pipeline Company

 Volunteers Complete, Maintain, and Restore the Colorado Trail Partnership

Snapshot: Colorado Trail Program Highlights Partnership Provides Trail Maintenance and Recreation Benefits The Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) works In 2006, the Colorado Trail benefited from with the Forest Service to provide a 500- the efforts of 779 volunteers who contributed Hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers mile non-motorized recreation trail between 18,035 hours and $325,531 worth of labor. all enjoy the Colorado Trail. The partnership Denver and Durango, Colorado. The trail between the Colorado Trail Foundation and CTF trail crews are teams of approximately traverses diverse ecosystems and eight moun- the Forest Service guarantees that this popu- 20 volunteers who work on weekend to tain ranges in the Colorado Rocky Moun- lar route receives regular care while giving week-long summer projects. Sixteen week- tains. Through volunteer programs and other volunteers opportunities for teamwork and long and five weekend volunteer trail crews partnerships, CTF develops, maintains, and outdoor experience in a positive social atmo- accomplished significant trail improvements. improves the Colorado Trail and trail corridor. sphere. These wonderful crews: The Forest Service manages the land base by State: Colorado providing analysis and decision-making for • Constructed over 3 miles of new trail Forest: Rocky Mountain Region all construction, restoration, and maintenance • Improved and maintained 20 miles of Partners: Colorado Trail Foundation trail FS Funds Used: $4,000 projects and ensures that these activities • Built two major bridges and 304 water Partner Funds: $4,000 comply with current laws and regulations. diversions (culverts, water bars, rolling dips) • Linked 17 miles of non-motorized trail reroutes atop Cataract Ridge • Constructed 57 cairns and erected 39 sign posts for trail markers • Built 650 feet of buck and pole fence

Through the Adopt-A-Trail Program, vol- unteer adopters and helpers perform main- tenance on particular trail segments. In addition to routine annual maintenance,

Photo by Tom Yukman Photo by Tom 56 adopters removed 359 fallen trees and Happy kids backpacking the Colorado Trail cleaned 241 water diversions.  PARTNERS • Rocky Mountain Region CONTINUED

Lake City Arts Council, Colorado NW New Mexico Community Dev Corp South Dakota State Historic Preservation Lander Artists Guild, Wyoming Park County, CO Office Leave No Trace, Incorporated R9 Economic Development Dist of SW Colo South Dakota State University LobLolly Logging & Lumber Rapid City, SD Wildland Fire South Dakota Weed & Pest Control Meade County Emergency Management Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Commission Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Southeast Colorado RC & D, Inc Montbello High School Rocky Mountain Heritage Society Southeastern Utah Economic Dev Dist Montezuma County, CO Extension Rocky Mountain Home-Based Partnership Sporting Good Manufacturers Assoc Montezuma County, CO Roads Department Project State of Kansas Morton County Historical Society, Inc Rocky Mountain Nature Association State of Wyoming North Central Nebraska Resource Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Summit County–Towns of Dillon and Frisco Conservation and Planning Council Round-Up Riders of the Rockies, Inc Tennessee University National Arbor Day Foundation Dev Resources Group The Nature Conservancy National Environmental Satellite Data & San Luis Valley Resource Conservation and Trees, Water and People Information Service Development Trout Unlimited National Forestry Applications Program South Dakota Department of Agriculture University of Colorado National Information Technology Center South Dakota Division of Resource University of Georgia Research Foundation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Conservation and Forestry University of Nebraska Administration SG Interests, Ltd University of Wyoming National Ski Areas Association Sirdar US Air Force Academy National Weather Service Snowsports Industries America US Air Force Resource Coordination Center Natural Resource Conservation Service, Society for Conservation Biology US Army Corp of Engineers Northern Plains Region South Dakota Department of Agriculture US Army Const Eng Research Laboratory Nebraska Department of Roads South Dakota Department of Agriculture, US Army, Department of Defense Nebraska Forest Service Pierre US Department of Defense (Environmental Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office South Dakota National Guard Coordination) New Mexico State University South Dakota Resource Conservation and US Department of Energy New Mexico State Forestry Forestry Division US DOE, Rocky Flats Field Office Northern Arapaho, & Shoshone Tribes South Dakota School of Mines and US Department of Environmental Quality Northern Arizona Council of Governments Technology US Department of Health NW Colorado Council of Governments South Dakota Society of American Foresters US Department of Interior (USDI)

 Partners Turn Woody Biomass Waste Into Renewable Heat Source Partnership

Snapshot: Feasibility of Woody Biomass for engineering study. The facilities ranged from State: South Dakota Heating Project 77,000 square feet to over 900,000 square Forest: Black Hills National Forest Partners: Black Hills National Forest, Over 200,000 tons of slash are left on the feet in size and relied on natural gas, pro- Resource Conservation and ground each year in the Black Hills of South pane, fuel oil, or a combination of these fuels Forestry Division of South Dakota – the result of non-commercial thin- for heating. Dakota Department of ning projects and a weak market for medium- Agriculture, Biomass Energy The studies found that in eight of the facili- Resource Center, schools, and size trees. Wood-processing activities create ties, converting to a boiler system fueled by public facilities another 200,000 tons of wood chips. This FS Funds Used: $89,000 woody biomass could pay for itself in fuel woody biomass rots on the ground, becomes Partner Funds: $75,094 cost savings over 30 years without significant fuel for wildfire, or is burned in place. The Other Funds: $42,614 changes to existing facilities. Another would Resource Conservation and Forestry Division find this positive gain if an additional build- of the South Dakota Department of Agricul- ing was added according to future expansion ture obtained federal grants to fund feasibil- plans. A tenth facility would experience these ity studies for heating school buildings and gains if it modified its existing heat distribu- other public facilities with this under-utilized tion system. resource. Idea to Solution Involves Partnerships Program Highlights As a result of these studies, the State Veter- At a public meeting in November 2005, rep- ans Home in Hot Springs, and Evergreen Star resentatives from schools and public facili- Academy in Custer, South Dakota, decided ties were encouraged to apply for feasibility to convert to woody biomass boiler systems, studies. A US Department of Energy National which should be in operation by the 2008 Biomass Partnership grant and a USDA Forest heating season. This partnership showed how Service Economic Action Program grant sup- under-utilized woody biomass could help ported these studies. public facilities save on heating costs while Approved projects included feasibility studies addressing potential fire hazards and pollu- in six schools, feasibility assessments in five tion problems. district energy systems, and one preliminary Biomass treatment in forest  PARTNERS • Rocky Mountain Region CONTINUED US Department of Justice Western Area Power Administration US Department of the Army Fort Carson Western Weed Coordinating Committee US Department of Transportation Wildlife 2000 US Environmental Protection Agency, R8 Wyoming Department of Agriculture US Treasury Department Wyoming Department of Transportation USDA Wyoming Department of State Parks and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Cultural Resources USDA CSREES Wyoming Forestry Division USDA FSA, Aerial Photography Field Office Wyoming Game and Fish Department USDA Rural Development Wyoming Game and Fish Commission USDA Soil Conservation Service-Wyoming Wyoming Highway Patrol State Office Wyoming National Guard USDA Farm Service Agency Wyoming Office of State Lands and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Investments Service Wyoming Sawmills Inc USDA Weston County-County Extension Wyoming Sheriffs and Chiefs Association Service Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and USDI Bureau of Land Management Professional Guides USDI Bureau of Land Management-New Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office Mexico State Office Wyoming State Land and Farm Loan Office USDI Bureau of Reclamation Wyoming Stock Growers Association USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Yampatika Outdoor Awareness Association USDI Geological Survey USDI Minerals Management Service USDI National Biological Service USDI USDI Water and Power Resources Valles National Preserve Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

 National Forest Foundation Facilitates Conservation Projects with Local Nonprofits Partnership

fulfill its mission, NFF provides funding to facilitate local involvement and encourage Stretching 3,100 miles from Canada to Mexico and ranging from desert to grassroots participation in forest stewardship tundra at altitudes of 4,000 to 14,000 so communities can play a leading role in feet, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) determining the future of National Forests is the highest and most remote of the and Grasslands. The Rockies National Scenic Trails. Originally desig- were one of five NFF geographic focus nated by Congress in 1978, slow progress areas around the country where efforts were due to shrinking budgets, lack of public concentrated through their Matching Awards involvement, and increased demands on Program. America’s public lands prompted the For- est Service to look for a more creative way In 2006, the National Forest Foundation to complete the CDT. awarded $414,433.00 to projects in the Rocky Mountain Region. These awards were The formation of the Continental Divide distributed through their Matching Awards Trail Alliance (CDTA) in 1995 created Program, Wilderness Stewardship Challenge, public and private enthusiasm for the and Community Assistance Program. Funds CDT. Within two years, CDTA-coordinated volunteers had inventoried all 3,100 miles were awarded to nonprofit organizations and thousands of volunteer hours had CDTA volunteer building new trail on the Divide to accomplish conservation work on the been dedicated to trail improvements. Arapaho, Roosevelt, Grand Mesa, Pike, San As the congressionally designated nonprofit As of 2006, the CDT is approximately Isabel, Routt, San Juan, Uncompahgre and partner of the US Forest Service, the 63% complete. The CDTA has organized White River National Forests. National Forest Foundation (NFF) engages approximately 8,500 volunteers to help organizations and individuals in community- complete the Trail translating into nearly based and national programs that promote $4.2 million of volunteer labor. Numerous partner organizations, including the gen- the health and public enjoyment of the 193 erous support of National Forest Founda- million acres that make up the National tion, have made these efforts possible. Forest System. To help the US Forest Service

 PARTNERS • Rocky Mountain Research Station

Alaska Dept of Fish and Game Idaho State University South Dakota State University Alaska Dept of Natural Resources International Union of Forest Research State of Jalisco, Mexico American Institute of Biological Sciences Organizations Swiss Federal Research Institute American Water Resources Association Malpai Borderlands Group Texas A&M University Arizona Game and Fish Dept Massachusetts Institute of Technology Texas Tech University Arizona State Land Dept Michigan Technological University The Nature Conservancy Arizona State University Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Trout Unlimited Australian National University Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks University of Alaska Boise State University Montana State University University of Arizona Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp NASA University of British Columbia Brigham Young University National Institute for Agricultural Research University of California British Columbia Ministry of Forests National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin University of Colorado California Institute of Technology National Science Foundation University of Idaho Canadian Department of Resources Natural Resources Canada University of Montana Canadian Forest Service Nevada Division of Wildlife University of Nebraska Chinese Academy of Science New Mexico State University University of Nevada Clemson University Nez Perce Tribe University of New Mexico Coeur D’Alene Tribe North Dakota State University University of Wyoming Colorado Dept of Natural Resources Northern Arizona University US Department of Energy Colorado State Forest Service Norwegian Institute for Nature Research US Department of Agriculture Colorado State University Ontario Forest Research Institute US Department of Commerce Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Oregon State University US Department of Interior Ecological Society of America Parks Canada US Department of Defense Ecosystem Management Research Institute Pueblo of Santa Ana US Department of Justice Entomological Society of America Russian Academy of Science US Library of Congress Finnish Forest Research Institute Salish Kootenai College Utah State University Food and Agriculture Organization of the Society for Forest Research Western Governor’s Association United Nations Society for Range Management White Mountain Apache Tribe Forest Research Institute, Poland Soil and Water Conservation Society Wildlife Conservation Society Forestry Institute of Chile South Dakota Dept of Game, Fish and Parks Wyoming Game and Fish Idaho Dept of Fish and Game South Dakota School of Mines and Tech

 High-Tech Partnership Improves Fire and Smoke Management Partnership

Snapshot: Real-Time Smoke and Weather geographically-based hourly information State: Colorado Forecasts for Fire Managers about current and future weather values such Unit: Rocky Mountain Research Station The Rocky Mountain Center (RMC), located in as air temperature, relative humidity, precipi- Partners: The Rocky Mountain Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, and administered by tation, cloud cover, wind speed, and wind National Oceanic and the Rocky Mountain Research Station, pro- direction as well as several fire indices. Atmospheric Administration, vides round-the-clock, comprehensive, real- National Weather Service, Science-based Collaboration Improves Fire Environmental Protection time, high-resolution fire and weather data Management and Air Quality Agency, state agencies and and smoke forecasts for the western United The RMC works to solve fire and smoke universities States. Through continuously developing and FS Funds Used: $68,000 management problems by providing regional posting this information, the RMC aims to: Partner Funds: $15,000 simulations of fire danger, fire behavior, Other Funds: $289,000 • Help accomplish agency prescribed burn- smoke dispersion, and other weather or ing targets. weather-dependent phenomena. The fire and Fire and smoke managers frequently look to the • Help prescribed fires burn safer and smoke management community frequently Rocky Mountain Center for round-the-clock, cleaner while avoiding air quality prob- looks to the RMC for highly customized real-time weather products and tools to help plan prescribed burns. lems. weather products and timely responses to • Help combat wildfire with real-time field-users’ requests for weather intelligence. weather intelligence. Increasingly, other users such as the outdoor • Facilitate rapid implementation of new recreation industry depend on RMC data to weather information products. plan activities and manage enterprises. Program Highlights The RMC website (http://www.fs.fed.us/rmc/) offers a variety of weather products and tools for fire and smoke managers. They can ac- curately assess fire danger, plan prescribed burns, allocate firefighting resources, and measure smoke impacts from prescribed burns and wildfires. Products include

 PARTNERS Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests and Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre and Oglala National Grasslands

Badlands Natural History Association Nebraska Bowhunters Association Stanley County Conservation District Black Footed Ferret Recovery Foundation Nebraska Business Development Center State of South Dakota, DENR Black Hills Parks & Forests Association Nebraska Department of Environmental State of South Dakota, Water Quality Blaine County Sheriff’s Department Quality Sugarloaf Grazing Association, Inc Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Temple University Chadron State College Nebraska Off-Highway Vehicle Association Thomas County Sheriff Department Colorado State University, Anthropology Nebraska Forest Service Turner Endangered Species Fund Department Nebraska State Historic Preservation Office United States Geological Survey Custer County Weed & Pest New Mexico State University, Business and University of Colorado Museum Dawes County Resource Planning University of Missouri Dawes County Sheriff NPS, Midwest Archaeological Center University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dawes County Weed and Pest Board Oglala Sioux Tribe University of Nebraska-Omaha Ducks Unlimited, Inc Panhandle Area Development District University of Wyoming East Pennington Conservation District Pennington County Weed & Pest University of Wyoming, Laramie, RM Educational Service Unit #13 Pheasants Forever Herbarium Fall River County Sheriff’s Department Pine Ridge Enduro USDA APHIS, Wildlife Services Fall River County Weed Board Pioneer Grazing Association USDA NRCS Farm and Ranch Network Prairie Wildlife Research USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Fort Pierre Development Corporation PRIDE Wakapasica Historical Society Iowa State University Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Jackson County Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Jones County Sandhills Community Builders Kansas State Forest Service South Dakota State University Cooperative Kirwin Extension Service Lower Brule Sioux Tribe South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD, Inc Parks, Rapid City National Park Service-Badlands NP National South Dakota Discovery Center Wild Turkey Federation South Dakota School of Mines and Natural Resources Conservation Service Technology Nebraska Association of Natural Resource South Dakota State Historic Preservation Districts Office

Photo courtesy of NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks commission Photo courtesy of NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks 0 Fire Risk Reduced Through Fuels Reduction, Education, and Collaboration Partnership

Everyone Benefits When Fire Risk is Reduced Nebraska Because fire does not respect governmental jurisdictions, public agencies at all levels, private organizations, and individual hom- eowners are working together to decrease the risk of wildfire on lands adjacent to national forests through fuels reduction projects. Local perceptions about the ability of the For- Photo courtesy of NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission est Service to make a difference in fire/fuels Snapshot: Interagency and Community Fuels • In 2005, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation treatments are improving. Reduction Project finalized a grant with the Nebraska National Years of fire suppression, inadequate timber Forest to thin 247 acres in the Bordeaux State: Nebraska Creek drainage. Forest: Nebraska and harvest practices, and increasing residential • Chadron State Park completed a three-year Samuel R. McKelvie National development created a high potential for thinning project in 2005. The Nebraska Na- Forests; Buffalo Gap, catastrophic wildfire in the wildland/urban tional Forest hopes to conduct a cooperative Fort Pierre, and Oglala interface of Nebraska’s Pine Ridge. To reduce broadcast burn on state land. National Grasslands Ranger District: Pine Ridge Ranger District the risk of catastrophic wildfire, the Forest • Federal grants administered by the Nebraska Partners: , Service, the State of Nebraska, and private Forest Service funded fuels reduction on over 3,500 acres of private land next to the National Park Service, Chadron landowners worked together to coordinate National Forest. State Park, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Chadron State thinning and burning treatments that resulted • The Nebraska National Forest provided an- College, and local contractors, in a significant decrease in fire hazard. nual training and hands-on experience for private landowners, and fire state and local fire managers, significantly departments Program Highlights improving the relationships between the For- FS Funds Used: $9,925 • Pine Ridge Ranger District completed hazard- est Service and fire departments. Partner Funds: $5,175 ous fuels environment assessments for two • Field trips and open houses were conducted watersheds. In the last two years, fuels reduc- for interested parties to look at proposed tion occurred in over 2,000 federal acres in federal projects and provide input. One field the district including a 571-acre stewardship trip was provided for congressional represen- contract with a local contractor. tatives.

 PARTNERS • South Dakota and Wyoming Black Hills National Forest

Argyle Volunteer Fire Department Ducks Unlimited, Inc Redig Volunteer Fire Department Badlands Sportsman’s Club, Wall, SD Fall River County Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Bighorn Airways Forest Recreation Management, Inc Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Black Hat Sioux Indian Fire Fighters Hayward Volunteer Fire Department Rocky Mountain Tree-Ring Research Inc Black Hills Central Reservation Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce Rosebud Sioux Tribe Black Hills Conservation & Development Hill City Community Youth Center Sicangu Nation Association, Pierre Hot Springs Police Department Sioux Firefighters Black Hills Flyfishers Jackson County Conservation District Skull Creek Air Service Black Hills Hydrology Steering Committee John Albanese Consultant South Dakota Trail Riders Black Hills Parks & Forests Association Keep South Dakota Green Association Spearfish Canyon Homeowners Assoc Black Hills Power and Light Company Ken Shabino Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department Black Hills RC & D Association Lake Andes Volunteer Fire Department Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Boxelder Job Corps Lawrence County State of South Dakota Boys & Girls Club of the Black Hills Lead-Deadwood School District State of Wyoming Brohm Mining Corporation Ludlow Volunteer Fire Department Student Conservation Association, Inc Brookings Volunteer Fire Department Mallo Camp-Weston County Sundance Volunteer Fire Department Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department Meade County Teton Lakota Fire Fighters Butte Conservation District Mt Rushmore National Monument The Minnilusa Historical Association/ Chadron Police Department Mt Rushmore National Memorial Society Pioneer Museum Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Natural Resources Conservation Service The Nature Conservancy City of Custer Newcastle Chamber of Commerce The On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA) City of Hill City North American Wild Sheep Foundation Thompson Ranch Colman Volunteer Fire Department North Haines Volunteer Fire Department, Inc Town of Hulett Converse County Sheriff’s Department Pacer Corporation Town of Keystone Crook County, Wyoming Paha Sapa Grotto Town of Moorcroft Curtiss and Teresa Rich Pennington County Weston County, Wyoming Custer Area Chamber of Commerce Peter Lien & Sons, Inc Wheatland Pheasants Forever, Chapter 296 Custer County Pine Ridge Job Corps Center Wounded Knee District Custer State Park Polly Hix WY Timber Industry Association Custer YMCA Pope & Talbot Yankton Sioux Tribe Devils Tower Natural History Association Powder River Energy Corporation

 Public Lands Benefit from Partnership with Tribal Youth Partnership

Snapshot: Tribal Youth Conservation Corps Since the beginning of the program in 2000, public lands benefit from natural resource Program 128 tribal youth have contributed 18,990 protection, enhancement, and maintenance The Tribal Youth Conservation Corps pro- hours through this partnership. The six-year projects. South gram is a cost-share partnership between program has accomplished: Dakota State: South Dakota and Wyoming the Black Hills National Forest; the National • 59 miles of trail work Forest: Black Hills National Forest Park Service; and the Cheyenne River, Partners: Black Hills National Forest; Wyoming • 81 acres of fuels piling Rosebud, Standing Rock, and Yankton Sioux the National Park Service; and • 35 miles of fence work the Cheyenne River, Rosebud, Tribes. Open to tribal youth between the • 34 facility maintenance projects Standing Rock, and Yankton ages of 16 and 22, the program offers em- • 242 acres of wetland restoration Sioux Tribes ployment skills and natural resource train- FS Funds Used: $50,805 • 110 acres of noxious weed removal ing to youth while they work on important Partner Funds: $62,513 • 15 acres of tree planting Other Funds: $4,824 stewardship projects on public lands. Program Highlights Long-lasting Benefits Seventeen youth were enrolled in the For many enrollees, this experience is their program in 2006. They worked a total of first regular job or extended absence from 3,500 hours to improve the Black Hills Na- home. They develop skills needed to work on tional Forest and Mount Rushmore National a team, maintain a work schedule, and plan Memorial. They maintained 23 miles of meals. Thursday evening interpretive pro- National Forest trail, removed six miles of grams and Saturday field trips enhance their old fence, planted trees, eliminated noxious cultural and natural resource knowledge. The weeds, and maintained camping facilities. goal is that some of the enrollees will become At Mount Rushmore the crew helped with future Forest Service employees. parking for the 4th of July celebration, re- Tribal communities and partner agencies moved weeds, stained wooden benches, and have an opportunity to build successful built eight miles of temporary fencing. working relationships and better understand Tribal Youth Conservation Corps field trip to rock one another. In a time of declining budgets, art sites

 PARTNERS Bighorn National Forest

Big Horn Basin RC & D Council Shell Racing Team Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Big Horn County Fire District #2 Sheridan County Commissioners Wyoming Highway Patrol Big Horn County Sheriff’s Department Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department Wyoming Rural Development Council Big Horn County Weed & Pest Control Shoshone Back Country Horsemen of Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office District America Wyoming State Office of Federal Land Policy Big Horn County Commissioners State of Wyoming Wyoming State Forestry Division Big Horn Mountain Country Coalition Student Conservation Association, Inc Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Big Horn Mountain Medicine Wheel Town of Cowley, Wyoming Trust Association Town of Greybull, Wyoming Back Country Horsemen of Town of Lovell, Wyoming America University of Wyoming Crow Tribe USDA Natural Resources Conservation US Army, ERDC-CERL Services Federal Highway Administration USDI Bureau of Land Management Friends of the Medicine Wheel USDI Geological Survey General Services Administration USDI Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Johnson County Commissioners Area Johnson County Family YMCA Washakie County Commissioners Johnson County Fire Control District #1 Washakie County Conservation District Johnson County Sheriff’s Department Washakie County Sheriff’s Department Johnson County Weed and Pest Control Washakie County Weed & Pest Control District District Kaycee City Council Wilderness Watch, Cloud Peak Chapter Lake Desmet Conservation District Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming Montana Conservation Corps, Inc Worland Fire Protection District No. 1 Northwest College Wyoming Department of State Parks and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Cultural Resources Powder River Conservation District Wyoming Department of Transportation Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wyoming Department of Travel and Tourism Rocky Mountain Nature Association Wyoming Federation Business and Self Help Center, Inc Professional Women

 National Forest and Private Homeowners Partner to Reduce Fire Risk Partnership

Snapshot: Story Fuels Reduction Project Techniques included: State: Wyoming Forest: Bighorn National Forest Reducing the risk for catastrophic wildfire in • replacing wood roofs with steel or asphalt Partners: Bighorn National Forest, and the small town of Story, Wyoming, also less- shingles private property owners ens the risk of wildfire moving from the town • thinning trees to reduce crown coverage FS Funds Used: $200M into the nearby forest lands. The Bighorn • moving shrubs away from homes Partner Funds: $475M Other Funds: FS Grants Wyoming National Forest worked with the Story Project • relocating propane tanks away from Coordinator who aligned private landowners structures to complete a lengthy fuel break along the • moving firewood off the decks of homes National Forest boundary. To reduce the risk • and installing spark arrestors in chimneys of wildfire to area homes, individual hom- eowners adopted FireWise practices. Mutual Concern Reaps Mutual Benefits Program Highlights Story, Wyoming, is a community at risk from wildfire. While the threat remains, work The completion of a two-mile-long, 300-foot- by individual homeowners and the For- wide fuel break involved detailed coordina- est Service significantly reduced the area’s tion with ten private landowners and resulted catastrophic wildfire risk. The mutual effort in trees spaced between 30 to 50 feet apart in met an objective to reduce conditions that the fuel break, as well as additional tree thin- fuel fires in tree crowns, a more difficult type ning on adjacent private lands. The Forest of fire to fight successfully. Benefits to both Service thinned 700 acres of adjacent Na- private and National Forest lands could only tional Forest System lands using chainsaws, have come about through partnerships be- broadcast burning, and hand piling to com- tween the Forest Service and the people plete the work in ponderosa pine and mixed of Story. conifer stands.

Homeowners applied FireWise techniques to Thinning activities in dense timber reduce the risk reduce the wildfire risk to individual homes. of crown fires.

 PARTNERS

Big Horn Basin RC & D Council Park County Sheriff’s Department Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, Inc Popo Agie Conservation District Buffalo Bill Historical Center Riverton Sno-goers Cody Conservation District Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Colorado State University Rocky Mountain Nature Association Defenders of Wildlife Shoshone Back Country Horsemen of Draper Museum of Natural History America Dubois Sno-katers Teton Conservation District Federal Highway Administration The Nature Conservancy Foundation for North American Wild Sheep University of Wyoming Fremont County ATV Association UW Cooperative Extension Service Fremont County Back Country Horsemen of US Geological Survey America USDI Bureau of Land Management Fremont County Fire Protection District USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Fremont County Sheriff’s Department USDI National Park Service Fremont County Weed and Pest Control Utah State University District Wildlife Heritage Foundation of Wyoming General Services Administration Wyoming Back Country Horsemen of Hot Springs Conservation District America Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Department Wyoming Department of Environmental Lander Nordic Ski Association Quality Lander Snow Drifters Wyoming Department of State Parks & Meeteetsee Conservation District Cultural Resources Montana Conservation Corps, Inc Wyoming Department of Travel and Tourism Nance Petroleum Corporation Wyoming Federation of Business and National Arbor Day Foundation Professional Women National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Association Wyoming Natural Diversity Database Natural Resources Conservation Services Wyoming State Forestry Division Northwest College Wyoming Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust Park County Fire Protection District #2 Yellowstone Park Foundation

 Cost-effective Educational Partnership Reduces Bear/Human Conflicts Partnership

Snapshot: Grizzly Bear Interpretive Program Collaboration is Cost-effective Grizzly bears are often seen along the roads Over three summers, the Grizzly Bear Inter- and in campgrounds on the Shoshone Na- pretive Program reached about 6,000 people tional Forest. A unique partnership with the at very little cost. Visitors learned bear safety Draper Museum of Natural History provides techniques before traveling through and information on grizzly bear safety and con- camping in grizzly bear country. They also Wyoming servation to visitors before they reach bear heard about bear conservation in the Greater country in the national forest and Yellow- Yellowstone Ecosystem. The museum staff re- stone National Park. This program helps save ported that visitors enjoyed the presentations, bears’ lives by reducing conflicts. and the program seemed to reduce conflicts Program Highlights between bears and humans. The Shoshone National Forest hired a sea- State: Wyoming Forest: Shoshone National Forest sonal employee to provide presentations three Partners: Shoshone National Forest and days a week in the Draper Museum of Natural Draper Museum of Natural History. Tourists often visit this museum be- History fore driving through the Forest on their way FS Funds Used: $9,925 Partner Funds: $5,175 to Yellowstone National Park. Two days a week, the employee shared grizzly bear infor- mation at the Wapiti Wayside Visitor Center and talked to people in campgrounds about proper food storage. Interpretive specialists on staff at the Draper Museum of Natural History, the newest addition to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, gave extensive interpretive training to the seasonal employee for this program. Bear Aware presentations are given at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.

 PARTNERS Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland

Albany County Middle Park Soil Conservation District Steamboat Chamber Resort Arapaho Tribe Middle Park Habitat Partnership Program Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation Campbell County Moffat County The Nature Conservancy Carbon County Foundation Thunder Basin Grasslands Prairie Ecosystem Cheyenne Public Utilities National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Association City of Douglas Natrona County Fire Department Timberline Trailriders City of Steamboat Springs Natural Resource Conservation Services Town of Hayden Colorado Division of Wildlife Niobrara Conservation District Town of Walden Colorado State University Niobrara County Town of Yampa Colorado State University-Cooperative North Park Habitat Partnership Tread of Pioneers Museum Extension North Park School District Trout Unlimited Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation North Park Soil Conservation District University of Wyoming Colorado Youth Corp Association Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center Columbine Cycle Club Northern Colorado Trail Riders Ute Conservation Corp Community Agriculture Alliance Northern Ute Tribe Ute Tribe Converse County Orton Family Foundation Weston County Crook County Owl Mountain Partnership Westport Oil and Gas Company Cycle Wyoming Platte County Wind River Heritage Center Encampment Fire Department Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce Winston Front Range Trail Riders Prima Oil and Gas Wyoming Department of Transportation Grand County Rio Blanco County Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Historic Routt County Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wyoming Territorial Park Jackson County Rocky Mountain Nature Association Yampa Valley Community Information Kansas State University Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Center Kremmling Chamber of Commerce Routt County Yampa Valley Recycling Committee Laramie Bicycling Network Routt County Coop Extension Service Yampatika Laramie County Routt County Riders Laramie County Conservation District Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Laramie Rivers Conservation District Shoshone Tribe Little Snake Conservation District Southern Oregon University Medicine Bow Nordic Association State of Wyoming

 Partnership Boosts Native Plant Seed Production Partnership

Snapshot: Native Plant Seed Production propagating, cultivating and harvesting The current seed supply for most key native native plant materials. The center offered plant species is not adequate for large-scale guidance in designing native plant seed pro- re-vegetation projects in northwest Colorado. duction projects at North Park High School’s To increase the seed stock from local sources greenhouse and nursery facilities and The and store it for future restoration projects, Nature Conservancy’s Carpenter Ranch in Wyoming seed propagation efforts, and native plant Hayden, Colorado, where native plants will studies, the Medicine Bow and Routt National be farmed. Colorado Forests and Thunder Basin National Grass- More Than Seeds land worked with the Upper Colorado Envi- This partnership produced much more than ronmental Plant Center; the Ute Conservation the native plant seeds needed for re-vegeta- Corps; Rocky Mountain Youth Corps; North tion and restoration projects in northwest Park High School; and The Nature Conser- The Ute Conservation Corps collecting wild seed Colorado. Two youth corps studied wild seed from native plants vancy. collection. High school students learned Program Highlights about native plant propagation and seed State: Colorado and Wyoming The Upper Colorado Environmental Plant production. The Nature Conservancy plans to Forest: Medicine Bow-Routt National Center has the expertise and facilities to showcase native plant farming as an oppor- Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland increase and store seed stock. Its staff trained tunity for local farmers seeking an alterna- Partners: Medicine Bow-Routt National tive to crops such as wheat. The partnership Forest Service personnel and members of the Forests, Thunder Basin Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and Ute Con- efforts strengthened relationships with the National Grassland, Upper servation Corps, an American Indian youth local community through environmental edu- Colorado Environmental Plant Center, Ute Conservation Corp, group, to collect wild seed from native plants. cation, community outreach, and increased Rocky Mountain Youth Corp, agricultural opportunity development. Center staff then cleaned, stored, or grew out North Park High School, and the seed. The Nature Conservancy FS Funds Used: $22,190.60 The center conducted tours of its facilities to Partner Funds: $8,300.60 teach students and farmers about

 PARTNERS Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland

American Forests Daniels Fund Northern Colorado Water Conserv Dist American Red Cross Denver Botanic Gardens Partners for Access to the Woods (PAW) Americorps Natl Civilian Comm Corps Denver Museum of Nature and Science Pawnee Fire Protection District Arapaho Roosevelt Pawnee Foundation Denver Parks and Recreation Department Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic & Historic Backcountry Horsemen of America Denver Water Department Byway Council Big Thompson 4x4 Diamond Peaks Bike Patrol Poudre Fire Authority Boulder County Diamond Peaks Nordic Ski Patrol Poudre River Rangers Boulder County Sheriffs Dept Federal Highway Administration Poudre Wilderness Volunteers Boulder County Parks and Open Space Garden Club of Denver Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Boulder Mountain Fire Authority Gilpin County Rocky Mountain National Park, USDI Boy Scouts of America Girl Scouts of America Rocky Mountain Nature Association Cameron Pass Nordic Rangers Grand County Rocky Mountain Research Station Center of the American West Grand County Wilderness Group Rocky Mountain Youth Corps City and County of Denver Grand Lake Trail Grooming, Inc Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance City of Boulder Grover Historical Society The Nature Conservancy Clear Creek County Headwaters Trails Alliance The Wilderness Society Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau Henry W Toll Ranch Thousand Trails Management Services Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Department Hillbillies 4wd Club Trailridge Runners Clear Creek Skiing Corporation Horsetooth 4 Wheelers US Fish & Wildlife Service, CO Field Office Coleman Natural Foods Indian Peak Wilderness Alliance University of Colorado, Mountain Research Colorado Department of Natural Resources Intrawest/Winter Park Operations Corp University of Colorado Museum Colorado Department of Transportation Larimer County USDI Bureau of Land Management Colorado Division of Wildlife Larimer County 4-Wheel Drive Club, Inc USDI US Geological Survey Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Larimer County Horsemen Association Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Colorado Historical Society Larimer County Mountaineers 4x4 Wagonmasters 4x4 Colorado Mountain Club Larimer County Weed District Warner College of Natural Resource, CSU Colorado State Forest Service Middle Park Habitat Partnership Program Weld County Historical Society Colorado State Historical Preservation Office New Belgium Brewing, Inc Weld County Youth Conservation Corps Colorado State Parks & Outdoor Recreation New Raymer/Stoneham Fire Protection Dist Wildlands Restoration Volunteers Colorado State University Northern Colorado Mounted Patrol Winter Park & Fraser Valley Chmbr of Com Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) Northern Colorado Trail Riders, Longmont Women Flyfishers Club

0 Volunteers Reroute Trail to Preserve Watershed Partnership

Snapshot: National Public Lands Day Straw- Program Highlights Long-lasting Partnership Benefits Public berry Lake Trail Relocation Project Lands The Strawberry Lake Trail, on the Sulphur National Public Lands Day is an annual day Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt The Strawberry Lake Trail improved water- of caring for shared lands. Through partner- National Forests, was located in sensitive shed health while enhancing trail enjoyment ships between federal agencies and local wetland and riparian areas. The trail followed and safety. The project is an example of the communities, volunteers help land managers a creek bed and crossed the creek numerous benefits of hands-on volunteer opportunities with hands-on work to improve public lands times. During the 2006 National Public Lands through long-term public-private partner- for outdoor recreation. The Strawberry Lake Day project, volunteers rerouted the trail to ships. Colorado Trail Project is the latest effort in a 12-year reduce its impact on sensitive areas, built State: Colorado National Lands Day partnership in north-cen- bridges, and restored the stream course. Forest: Arapaho-Roosevelt National tral Colorado. Forests, Pawnee National For 12 years, National Public Lands Day in Grassland north-central Colorado has been a major an- Partners: Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests, Pawnee National nual volunteer event involving three federal Grassland, Headwaters Trails agencies, county and municipal governments, Alliance, Fraser Valley and approximately 170 volunteers. Local Partnership for Trails, Winter volunteer organizations raise funds for the Park Resort, The National Environmental Education & project. Nationally, nearly 100,000 volunteers Training Foundation, Grand worked in 1,100 locations with projects in Foundation, Camp Chief Ouray every state. YMCA of the Rockies, and many local businesses provided cash, gifts, supplies and transportation FS Funds Used: $5,000 Partner & Other Funds: $15,000 The Strawberry Lake Trail accesses the remote and beautiful Strawberry Lake and its special environs on the Arapaho National Forest.

 PARTNERS Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Alpine Tunnel Historic Association Foundation for North American Wild Sheep Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Society Alternative Youth Adventures (FNAWS) Rocky Mountain Biological Station American Institute for Avalanche Research Geological Society of America Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Education Inc Gore Livestock Roundup Riders of the Rockies Backcountry Horsemen of America Grand Mesa Nordic Council Roundup Riders of the Rockies Heritage and Bookcliff Rattlers Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway Trails Foundation Bradley University Association Inc Safari Club International Bureau of Land Management Gunnison County San Miguel County City of Delta Hindsdale County Sierra Club-Grand Junction Chapter City of Grand Junction Mesa County The Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway City of Fruita Mesa County Master Gardeners Thunder Mountain Wheelers Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition Mesa State College Town of Cedaredge Colorado 500 Club Montrose County Town of Hotchkiss Colorado Big Country Resource Conservation Montrose Visual Arts Guild Tri-State Generation and Transmission Co Development Mountain Science Institute Trout Unlimited Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Mule Deer Foundation Trust for Land Restoration Colorado Department of Natural Resources Museum of Western Colorado Trust for Public Lands Colorado Department of Transportation National Park Service Uncompahgre Plateau Project Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology National Wild Turkey Federation Uncompahgre Valley Trail Riders Colorado Division of Wildlife North Fork Gunnison Habitat Partnership Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Ouray Chamber Resort Assn District Colorado State University Ouray County Ute Water Conservancy District Colorado Native Plant Society Ouray Historical Society Western Area Power Administration Mountain Biking Assoc Ouray Trail Group Western Colorado Interpretive Assn Water Conservation District Painted Sky Resource Conservation and Western Slope 4-Wheelers /Mt Crested Butte Chamber of Development Council Western Slope ATV Association Commerce Planet Bluegrass Western Slope Snowmobile Assn Delta County Public Lands Partnership Western State College Delta Snowcruisers Quail Unlimited Woolgrowers Association Delta-Montrose Electric Association Task Force Yankee Boy Conservation Association Fort Lewis College Ridgeway Riders

 Partnership with Power Companies Reduces Threat of Wildfire Partnership

Snapshot: Western Area Power Administra- surveys and National Environmental Policy tion and Tri-State Generation and Transmis- Act (NEPA) preparation in 2004 and 2005. sion Company Power Lines Fuels Reduction In 2006, the company contributed funds for The Forest Service is working with two power fuels reduction on 30 acres adjacent to its companies to reduce forest fuels adjacent line. Fuels reduction is being accomplished to power lines that traverse National Forest through commercial timber sale and stew- lands on the Uncompahgre Plateau. Tree mor- ardship contracts. Tri-State will contribute tality from long-term spruce budworm defo- funds to a 2007 stewardship contract for fuels Colorado liation has caused considerable increases in reduction adjacent to its power lines. fuel loading there. This project will decrease Fuels Treatment for a Steady Flow of Power the likelihood of catastrophic fire, provide a safer firefighting environment and insure a This project will help ensure a steady flow of power supply. energy across the western power grid by de- creasing the likelihood of catastrophic wild- Program Highlights fire. The fuel treatments should offer a safer The Western Area Power Administration’s firefighting environment and reduce resource (WAPA) power line is a major conduit for hy- damage in the event of a wildfire. dro-generated power originating from federal State: Colorado projects in Colorado. The Tri-State Generation Forest: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Transmission Company line distributes and Gunnison National Forests power to over a dozen cooperatives in rural Partners: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, areas in a four-state Western region. Both and Gunnison National Forests; Western Area Power power lines traverse National Forest System Administration; and Tri-State lands where fuel loading is heavy. Both are Generation and Transmission essential links in the electrical distribution Company system. FS Funds Used: $120,000 Partner Funds: $30,000 A look at before and after the fuels reduction work Before fuels reduction work began, WAPA contributed $20,000 for cultural resource  PARTNERS Rio Grande National Forest

Adams State College National Fish & Wildlife Foundation American Land & Leisure National Forest Foundation Bureau of Land Management National Wild Turkey Federation Colorado Department of Natural Resources Natural Resources Conservation Service Colorado Department of Public Health and Powder Busters Environment Rio Grande County Colorado Department of Transportation Rio Grande County Emergency Management Colorado Department of Transportation, Rio Grande County Museum Region 5 Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Department Colorado Division of Minerals Reclamation Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and Safety Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Colorado Division of Wildlife Roundup Riders of the Rockies Colorado Field Institute Saguache County Colorado State Forest Service Saguache County Sheriff’s Department Colorado State Parks and Outdoor Recreation San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council Colorado Trail Foundation San Luis Valley RC & D Conejos County San Luis Valley Resource Conservation and Conejos County Sheriff’s Department Development Continental Divide Trail Alliance Silver Threaders Ducks Unlimited Silverthread Interpretive Center Foundation for North American Bighorn SLV Information Center Sheep Environmental Youth Great Sand Dunes National Monument Corps Coalition Hinsdale County Trailwise Backcountry Horsemen Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Department Trout Unlimited Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic US Environmental Protection Agency Byway Association USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Mineral County Willow Creek Reclamation Steering Mineral County Sheriff’s Department Committee Mule Deer Foundation Wolf Creek Ski Corporation National Audubon Society

 Proactive Partners Reclaim Mine Sites Partnership

Snapshot: Willow Creek Reclamation on national forest and private lands is cur- State: Colorado Forest: Rio Grande National Forest The Forest Service and the Willow Creek Rec- rently underway through a challenge cost Partners: Rio Grande National Forest, lamation Committee (WCRC) jointly pursued share agreement using pooled funds from the Willow Creek Reclamation the voluntary cleanup of abandoned mine Forest Service and the WCRC. Committee sites proposed for EPA Superfund listing. The FS Funds Used: $600,000 The Rio Grande National Forest participates Partner Funds: $915,000 group reclaimed six sites known to cause in a technical advisory committee involved Other Funds: none stream contamination in the Willow Creek in on-going work throughout the watershed. watershed above the historic town of Creede, Colorado Specialists from state and federal agencies Colorado. The team is currently reclaiming and retired engineers and specialists who a large mine dump on the Rio Grande Na- reside in Creede comprise this committee. tional Forest and private land in south central Colorado. Proactive Approach Provides Health Benefits This proactive, cooperative approach allows Program Highlights partners to avoid the complexities of Su- The partnership, established in 1998, began perfund projects while achieving important with a sampling and analysis plan. For three goals: years, workers collected data to characterize the watershed and streams within it. Once the • Elimination of human health threats as- partners had identified the major pollution sociated with heavy metal contamination sources, reclamation began with sites at the • Improved water quality and associated aquatic habitat head of the watershed and proceeded down • Better wildlife habitat and a reduction of the valley toward Creede. threats to wildlife that inhabit contami- Five sites were reclaimed in 2003. In 2004, nated sites the Forest funded reclamation costs for one site using WCRC expertise. Follow-up work on these sites was completed in 2005-2006. Reclamation of a large mine dump complex Reclaimed site in 2006

 PARTNERS San Juan National Forest

Adaptive Sports Association FireWise Council of Southwest Colorado Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory ANCRE (Alliance for Natural & Cultural Backcountry Horsemen Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Resources Education) Four Corners Heritage Council San Juan and Southwest BOCS Animas Conservancy Four Corners Safari Club San Juan Basin Chpt of the CO Arch Society Animas River Stakeholders Four Corners Trail Club San Juan Citizens Alliance Audubon Society-Durango Chapter Friends of Native Cultures San Juan County Historical Society Backcountry Skier’s Alliance Girl Scouts of America San Juan Mountains Association Backcountry Snowsport’s Alliance Great Old Broads for Wilderness San Juan RC & D BearSmart of Durango Interpretive Alliance of Pagosa Springs San Juan Sledders Boy Scouts of America Jersey Jim Foundation San Juan Trail Riders Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies La Plata Open Space Conservancy Seniors Outdoors Center for SW Studies–Fort Lewis College Leave No Trace, Inc Service Learning Initiative of SW Colorado Chicken Creek Volunteer Group Local Fire and Water Districts Silverton Mountain School Children’s Museum of Durango Mesa Country Horsemen Silverton Snowmobile Club Chimney Rock Interpretive Alliance Mesa Verde Home Educators Southern Ute Tribe Colo Alliance for Environmental Education Mountain Studies Institute Southwest Colorado Riparian Partnership Colorado Environmental Coalition National Association for Interpretation Southwest Colorado Travel Region Colorado Fourteeners Initiative National Mustang Assoc Spring Creek Herd Southwest Conservation Corps Colorado Mounted Rangers National Wild Turkey Foundation Southwest Outdoor Volunteers Colorado Natural Heritage Program Office of Community Services–Fort Lewis State and Local Governments Colorado Snowmobile Association College Student Conservation Association, Inc. Colorado State Historical Society Old Growth Foresters TARA (Tiffany, Allison, Rosa, Arboles) Colorado Trail Foundation Pagosa Springs Arts Council Historical Society Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation Pagosa Springs Historical Preservation Brd The Nature Conservancy Continental Divide Trail Alliance Pagosa Trails Council The Trust for Public Lands Creeper Jeepers Club Pine River Valley Nordic Ski Club Trails 2000 Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Pinon Project-Cortez Tread Lightly Durango Bird Club Pioneer Museum Trout Unlimited Durango Chapter of Master Gardeners Region 9 Economic Development Dist Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Durango Nature Studies Rico Alpine Society Valley Learning Cooperative Farmington Museum Rio Oso Project Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

 Partnership Forms Mountain Studies Institute for Research and Education Partnership

Snapshot: Mountain Studies Institute • MSI led a stakeholder conference on “Cli- State: Colorado Forest: San Juan National Forest The Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a mate Change and Variability in the San Juan Mountains.” Partners: San Juan National Forest, non-profit research institution and high-el- Fort Lewis College, San Juan • MSI installed a Global Observation Re- evation field station. Founders include the County, and the Town of search Initiative in Alpine Environments San Juan National Forest, Fort Lewis College, Silverton (GLORIA) site in the San Juan Mountains, FS Funds Used: $207,897 San Juan County, and the Town of Silverton, joining a network of about 30 sites in the Partner Funds: $151,615 Colorado. The institute conducts mountain world’s highest mountain ranges. research projects and educational offerings • The field station is serving as a demon- Colorado that contribute to the understanding and sus- stration site for a new heating system tainable use of the San Juan Mountains. that uses pinion pine pellets that can be a product of fire mitigation projects. Program Highlights • Fort Lewis College instituted a Mountain Highlights of MSI’s accomplishments during Studies minor in partnership with MSI. 2006: The Forest is working with the college to provide internships required in the course • Over 300 researchers and educators of study. stayed at MSI’s facility to work on topics such as climate variability and change, Benefits for Mountain Landscapes and Land air and water quality, and snow and ava- Managers lanche studies. MSI’s focus on applied research is helpful to • MSI sponsored two workshops on fens (a type of wetland that accumulates peat land managers while education efforts have deposits), including ecology, hydrology, provided benefits to agency staff, partners, and protection methods. and the public. In addition, MSI helped boost • With support from the US Environmental the economies of Silverton and San Juan Protection Agency, MSI produced a 24- County are boosted by attracting researchers, page booklet to help landowners, com- educators, and students who spend time and munity leaders, and others learn about money in the area. Kyle Skaggs, MSI field technician, monitors a wetland values and protection methods. high-elevation lake for pollution impacts.

 PARTNERS White River National Forest

10th Mountain Division Hut Association Friends of The Dillon Ranger District Roaring Fork Transit Authority Alfred A Braun Hut System Friends of The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Ski Resort Frisco Sanitation District Student Conservation Association Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Garfield County South Maryland Creek Ranch, LLC Aspen Skiing Co, DBA Mountain Photo Glenwood Tramway, LLC Squaw Creek Realty Co Aspen Skiing Company, Env Foundation Gore Range Natural Science School State of Colorado Dept of Corrections- Beaver Creek Holy Cross Four Wheel Drive Club Division of Correctional Industries Boy Scouts of America, Troop #223 Homestake Water Project Summit County Breckenridge Ski Resort Independence Pass Foundation Summit Fire Authority City of Aspen John J Hill Memorial Foundation, Inc Summit Huts Association Colorado Army National Guard Keystone Resort, Inc Sunlight Mountain Resort Colorado Big County Resource Conservation Kim Raymond Design Teepee Park LLC & Development Lake Dillon Fire Protection District Tenth Mountain Division Foundation, Inc Colorado Department of Agriculture Maroon Creek LLC The Keystone Center Colorado Department of Natural Resources Mid Valley Metropolitan District The Vail Pass Task Force Colorado Department of Transportation Mt Sopris Snowriders Snowmobile & Town of Carbondale Colorado Division of Wildlife Recreational Vehicle Club Town of Dillon Colorado Fourteeners Initiative National Wild Turkey Federation, Colorado, Town of Eagle Colorado Mountain College Woodland Park Town of Frisco Colorado Ski Museum Norman Carpenter Town of Meeker Colorado State Forest Service NW Colorado Council of Governments Town of Snowmass Village Colorado State Parks and Outdoor Rec Pitkin County Town of Vail Colorado Wildfire Academy Public Service Company of Colorado Trout Unlimited-Ferdinand/Hayden Chpt Copper Mountain Ski Resort Rifle Chamber of Commerce Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center Crooked Creek Ranch Association Rifle Snowmobile Club US Army Corps of Engineers Eagle County Rio Blanco County US Fish & Wildlife Service Eagle County Regional Transportation Roaring Fork Avalanche Center US Environmental Protection Agency Authority Roaring Fork Conservancy Vail Associates, Inc Eagle Park Reservoir Company Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers Western Slope River Guides Association Eagle River Water and Sanitation District Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation White River Interpretive Association Eagle River Watershed Council Rocky Mountain Regional CASU Wilderness Workshop Forest Conservancy

 Collaboration Improves Trout Habitat Along Interstate Partnership

Snapshot: Eagle River Watershed Council containment building to hold stockpiled State: Colorado Forest: White River National Forest, The Eagle River Watershed Council, a non- sand erosion • Removal of accumulated sand from the Eagle and Holy Cross Ranger profit organization of concerned citizens es- Districts river channel through an innovative tablished in 2000, collaborates with the White Partners: White River National Forest, sand-slurry pumping project River National Forest to benefit fisheries. The Eagle River Watershed Council, • Stabilization and seeding of an unstable and Black Gore Creek Steering council created the Black Gore Creek Steer- traction sand delta that was a major sedi- Committee ing Committee to reduce sediment impacts on mentation source FS Funds Used: $14,680 Black Gore Creek. The group’s work produced Partner Funds: $332,263 Colorado Trout Benefit From Agency Collaboration funding for stream habitat improvement proj- ects outlined by the WRNF fisheries program. The Eagle River Watershed Council gathered representatives of local, state, and federal Program Highlights government agencies and the Eagle River Sand and fine gravel deposited on Interstate Chapter of Trout Unlimited to address the 70 to improve surface traction during in- traction sand sedimentation problem. This clement weather enter Black Gore Creek and collaboration resulted in several projects that compromise trout spawning habitat. Accu- controlled sedimentation to improve water mulated coarse sediments can reduce over- quality and fish and wildlife habitat. wintering fish habitat. The State of Colorado included Black Gore Creek on its impaired The council’s collaborative focus and funding waters list in 2002. The ERWC council partnerships are vital to developing projects funded development of a sediment control that address watershed issues. action plan along the I-70 corridor and hired an engineer to identify and quantify sediment sources to foster the following completed projects:

• Installation of 48 sediment basins Stabilization of traction sand from Interstate 70 • Construction of a traction sand near the floodplain of Black Gore Creek

 PARTNERS Pike and San Isabel National Forest and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Adams County Douglas County Sheriff’s Department Quad Dusters American Forests Ed Holt Restoration Project Steering Committee Baca County El Paso County Rocky Mountain Recreation Company Bureau of Land Management El Paso County Sheriff’s Department Sangre de Cristo Resource Conservation & Bureau of Reclamation Everhart Ranch LLC Development Council Canyon Enterprises FedSource Teller County Chaffee County First Baptist Church of Englewood-Silver Teller County Sheriff’s Office City of Aurora State Youth Camp Teller County Trails Committee City of Colorado Springs Fremont County Town of Poncha Springs City of Florence Friends of Monument Preserve US Air Force Academy City of Leadville Friends of Pikes Peak US Department of Interior City of Manitou Springs Garden Club of America US Department of the Army - Ft Carson City of Pueblo Garden of the Gods Visitor Center US Fish and Wildlife Service City of Woodland Park General Services Administration US Geological Survey Coleman Natural Foods GovWorks University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Colorado Archaeological Society Fish and Wildlife Service University of Denver Colorado Christian Four Wheelers Huerfano County Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Colorado College Jefferson County Colorado Department of Natural Resources Lake County Colorado Department of Transportation Lake County Open Space Initiative Colorado Mountain Club Las Animas County Colorado Springs Fire Department National Arbor Day Foundation Colorado Springs Utilities National Forest Foundation Colorado State Forest National Forests of North Carolina Colorado State University National Park Service COMCOR Natural Resource Conservation Service Corps of Engineers Park County County Commissioners Park County Historic Preservation Custer County Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners Denver Water Pueblo County Douglas County Pyramid Enterprises

0 Volunteers Enhance Recreational Opportunities and Restore Resources Partnership

Snapshot: Friends of the Peak • Planted native trees along the Pikes Peak Highway Friends of the Peak is a volunteer non-profit State: Colorado organization founded in 1995 to help the • Offered public education on land values Forest: Pike-San Isabel National and ethics and maintained a Pikes Peak Forest Service preserve, restore, and enhance Forests and Cimarron- Web page Comanche National Grasslands Pikes Peak and surrounding areas. The vol- • Raised funds to purchase trail signs and Partners: Pike-San Isabel National unteers are active in trail maintenance and fence rails and to improve trailheads Forests, Cimarron-Comanche habitat restoration projects while enhancing • Provided input on various Forest Service National Grasslands, and Friends of the Peak Colorado recreational opportunities. planning initiatives and National En- FS Funds Used: $5,000 annually Program Highlights vironmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping Partner Funds: $75,000 annually (estimated studies Friends of the Peak organizes and leads time) Other Funds: $25,000 annually (estimated) weekend group workdays and projects result- Trails for People; Restoration for Wildlife ing in 5,000 volunteer hours annually. The Approximately 600,000 residents live within group has completed more than 200 work a half-hour drive of Pikes Peak, America’s projects over the past 11 years, providing mountain, visited by nearly one million over $750,000 worth of maintenance and people annually. By restoring habitat and Friends of the Peak working and learning on the improvements in the . maintaining a vast trail network, Friends of Ring the Peak Trail Volunteers have: the Peak blend enhanced recreational oppor- • Constructed and maintained over 30 tunities with critical ecosystem protection. miles of hiking trails in and around Pikes Peak • Adopted the , a national scenic trail, to the Pikes Peak Summit • Helped coordinate planning and signage for the Ring the Peak Trail • Restored and rehabilitated tundra vegeta- tion on cut slope areas along the Pikes Peak Highway

 Partnership / Agreement Summary Region 2

Partner Total Contribution $32,826,981.00

FS Total Contribution $28,587,243.00

2006 Partnership Contribution Summary Unit Forest Service Partner Totals Regional Office $16,468,565.00 $14,134,829.00 $30,603,394.00 Bighorn $604,753.00 $1,903,953.00 $2,508,706.00 Black Hills $1,616,426.00 $2,563,391.00 $4,179,817.00 GMUG $1,381,834.00 $944,820.00 $2,326,654.00 Med Bow-Routt $761,021.00 $2,258,411.00 $3,019,432.00 Nebraska $411,097.00 $599,694.00 $1,010,791.00 Rio Grande $748,712.00 $937,573.00 $1,686,285.00 Arapaho Roosevelt $511,075.00 $1,166,973.00 $1,678,048.00 PSICC $2,253,617.00 $1,896,493.00 $4,150,110.00 San Juan $2,186,907.00 $3,338,176.00 $5,525,083.00 Shoshone $475,680.00 $1,349,433.00 $1,825,113.00 White River $1,167,556.00 $1,733,235.00 $2,900,791.00 TOTALS $28,587,243.00 $32,826,981.00 $61,414,224.00

 Rocky Mountain Research Station Partnership

Partner Total Contribution $24,399,549.99

FS Total Contribution $18,619,430.12