My Second Centennial Project:
My First Centennial Project was, and still is this blog site and I am very pleased with the results so far. I hope that I have stimulated others to think about the future of the Sierra National Forest. If you recall (or scroll down) one of my first blogs was “The Doers and Sewers will Control Recreation Management on the National Forest.” My last blog was about what I have learned about dealing with the Sewers. Right now, I am starting my attempt to further develop the Doers on the Sierra National Forest. Here is my blog describing my Second Centennial Project:
My Partnership Mission:
“Partnership Programs on the Sierra National Forest will cultivate a sense of personal responsibility for maintaining a healthy environment. “Caring for the Land and Servings People” will be in the hearts and in the minds of the people of the United States of America. America will become an ecologically aware democracy by having an intimate experience with the natural, physical and biological world. Responsibility to environment and accountability for the environment will become a social, a political, and a personal commitment to our nation and our planet. The charge is to engage the general public in active ‘hands-on’ participation of the short term, and long term management of the Sierra National Forest. In return, partnerships, volunteers and eco-tourism are viable tools to implement the Forest Service Mission. ”
The Product:
A Framework for Tourism, Partnerships and Volunteerism
On the Sierra National Forest
On Sierra National Forest, a visitor can be amazed at unique geologic resources and experience a piece of a greater Sierra Nevada network of natural biological systems. The Sierra NF is the American ideology of the big open Wild West in California. It also just happens to be within a short drive from the major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Recognizing this great responsibility and opportunity, the Sierra NF has started the development of a Partnership and Tourism Plan. The plan will outline a broad framework for the promotion and management of sustainable recreation uses and the development of Partnerships and volunteers on the Sierra National Forest. This plan will help guide the further development of programs and partnerships to support the Forest Service Mission. This framework will promote an integration of research, interpretive themes, marketing, visitor services, resource conservation, education, volunteers and monitoring. To complete the plan the forest is seeking assistance for the funding of staff time, training, travel and consultation for this project.
The Sierra National Forest has developed several Partnerships and Volunteer Programs. For example, the High Sierra Trail Crew started while I was the Recreation and Wildlife Officer on the Pineridge Ranger District. After I left, the District Staff picked up the program and ran with it and thanks to everyone’s support, the Trail Crew was recently the recipient of the Centennial Award for Best Partnership (2004). Also around that time, Nancy Woolsey, Assistant Special Uses Officer completed a Clemson University project on developing partnerships with Special Use Permittees. There are also long standing productive alliances with the Upper Merced River Watershed Committee, the San Joaquin River Parkway Association, the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway Association, the Mariposa Chamber of Commerce and the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau, as a few examples. We are interested in building on what we learned from the development of these relationships and expanding our repertoire of volunteer opportunities.
My Training Plan:
As part of the development of this Framework, I am interested in stepping out of the box. I would like to combine my personal interest in international affairs and world biodiversity with my responsibilities on the Sierra National Forest. I would like to have the time to go on an “eco-tour” with Earthwatch Institute. From the Earthwatch Mission:
“ Earthwatch Institute puts people in the field where they can assist scientists in their field work. They are part of the action, they learn new skills, and develop a deeper understanding of their role in building a sustainable future. We believe that teaching and promoting scientific literacy is the best way to systematically approach and solve the many complex environmental and social issues facing society today. These volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary things, providing labor, ingenuity, financing, and insight to solve these problems.”
I like their philosophy and want to learn from their experience and success to better equip the Sierra National Forest in our Next Century of Service. After my trip, I will prepare a PowerPoint presentation on what I learned and I will write a paper on what opportunities I see from my experience. You can also be assured that you will read all about it right here on my blog. My intent is to incorporate these lessons into the Framework for Tourism, Partnerships and Volunteers on the Sierra National Forest.
I’m ready to be a Doer, not a talker! There are opportunities out there just waiting for us to discover. Check out: Dollars for Doers (WPS Resources Corporation) and KODAK: Dollars For Doers Program: U.S.
Play the Doers MP3 @ The Doers Debut Release “Ready, Set… Do”
Are you a talker or a Doer? Fight Aging!: Talkers Versus Doers
Are you ready to be a Doer? Robert Putnam A Nation of Doers Needs to Do More