Partnerships

How do I partner with the Ottawa National Forest?

The Forest Service partners with many different groups, schools and other government agencies and entities. Questions to contemplate when deciding if you want to get involved with the Forest Service:

• What project do you want to do?
• What are your objectives?
• Will there be sufficient resources? Time, staff, information, data, skills and financing.
• Will there be money, equipment or other resources involved?
• Is collaboration the right path?
  • Is the issue a high priority?
  • Is the project time-sensitive and precludes the time to develop a collaborative solution?
  • Is the sponsoring entity/agency is not committed to implementing a solution?
  • Is there are insufficient resources to support the collaborative process?
  • Are all groups that need to be involved are willing to collaborate?
  • Is there another option is available that can address the issue in a more effective way?
• Where does the Forest fit into the issue? Is it a local (district) issue? Is it a forest-wide issue?
• Does it require a formal or informal agreement?
• Will Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) apply to this collaboration?

What is a Partnership?

In Federal policy, partnership is "a voluntary, mutually beneficial arrangement entered into for the purpose of accomplishing mutually agreed upon objective(s), related to the instruments and authorities listed in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1509.11, chapter 70." 

What Partnership tools are available?

Informal Arrangements

While many partnerships are formal arrangements, the Forest Service also frequently works with partners through informal activities, which may serve as springboards for formal arrangements later. For example, many agency employees will attend career fairs, staff booths at fairs or farmer markets, walk in parades, or work with school groups without a formal agreement.

If you are looking to work with the Forest Service in an informal way or for an informal one-time event head down to the "Who Do I Contact" section.

Formal Arrangements

With formal partnerships there are several available tools for documenting a partnership which clarify objectives, describes roles and responsibilities, and ensures mutual accountability. There are several types of agreements that can be used, which one is used depends on the partner, project, type, benefactors, and how or whether the parties exchange funds our other resources. Formal agreements must have an authority, appropriation, and use the right instrument (agreement).

Formal agreements frequently cover activities such as

• improving wildlife habitat,
• community fire plans,
• restoration activities,
• trail/recreation area maintenance and improvements,
• interpretation and conservation education programming,
• research projects,
• aquatic passage improvement projects, and
• mutual aid agreements for emergencies and natural disasters.

Formal Partnership Agreement Types

• Mutual Benefit Agreements - These instruments document partnerships that provide mutual benefit for each party
  • Challenge Cost Share​
  • Participating Agreement
  • Joint Venture Agreement
  • Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements (Wyden Amendment)
• Federal Financial Assistance - Instruments in this category are used to stimulate or support the activities of non-federal organizations for a public purpose
  • Cooperative Agreement
  • Grants (Please visit the State and Private Forestry website for information on available Forest Service issued funds)
• Other Agreements - These are other instruments that don't fall into the above categories
  • Interagency Agreement
  • Memorandum of Understanding
  • Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
  • Volunteer Agreement

There are several other types of agreements not listed here. For more information on what types of agreements are available visit the Partnership Resource Center.

Once you know if you want to work with us, contact us to discuss what type of opportunities exist and what type of agreement may work best. 

Who do I contact for more information?

Email: sm.fs.Ottawa_NF@usda.gov

In your email include your name, organization (if applicable), and specific information on how you would like to partner with the Ottawa NF. 

If you would like to partner with us for an event, please include the date and time(s) of the event.