Clearing Trail

Peer Learning Sessions

Peer learning sessions are 90-minute web and phone conferences on specific topics that are facilitated in a roundtable format. Objectives include:

• Supporting shared learning and exchange of knowledge among community-based collaborative groups and Forest Service employees
• Identifying lessons learned and best practices
• Building relationships among people working on similar issues across distances
• Identifying common challenges and moving to team problem-solving.

Space is limited, so register now to reserve your spot (see below). If you have a topic idea, please Email Karen DiBari or call (406) 542-2805, ext. 3352.

You can find notes from previous sessions on the Peer Learning Sessions Archive.

Upcoming Peer Learning Sessions

No peer learning sessions are currently scheduled. Check back soon!

Recasts of Past Peer Learning Sessions

Stewardship Authorities, Ecosystem Services and County Payments: held August 3, 2010

Mark Haggerty and Megan Lawson at Headwaters Economics presented information about their research using data from existing stewardship contracts to estimate the non-market values produced on National Forests and to showcase the importance of stewardship and restoration work on National Forests. They explored a real-world application of these concepts by discussing the pros and cons of linking county payments to the value of ecosystem services.

• Click here to hear and view a recast of the session.
• View interactive maps showing current county payments, projected revenue sharing in 2012 and a comparison to current payments, and expanded revenue sharing payments.
• View Headwaters Economics' slide presentation about their research into county payments and their approach to measuring ecosystem service values of stewardship and Legacy Roads and Trails projects.

Landscape Assessments, NEPA Processes and Collaboration: held July 22, 2010

With the Forest Service’s focus on landscape-scale conservation, the agency is using new approaches to assess the condition of large acreages of forest. At the same time, many collaborative groups are working to increase the impact of their agreements across larger areas. Is this a new way of doing business for the agency, and how does it affect National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes?

• Click here to hear and view a recast of the session. Due to technical difficulties, the audio does not play for two short periods in the session. We recommend that you "fast forward" to 8 minutes into the session when you begin listening.

The New Stewardship Agreement: held April 15, 2010

The Forest Service recently created a new stewardship agreement template and process to improve the agency's ability to work with partners and to leverage more resources to get results on the ground. Al Christophersen of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Michele Wasienko-Holland of the Forest Service share information about how stewardship agreements work and important things to consider when putting one together.

• Click here to hear and view a recast of the session. Presentations begin 10 minutes into the session.

Monitoring Socioeconomic and Ecological Project Impacts: held December 1, 2009

• Click here to hear and view a recast of the session.

Audio Recordings

Check out our recorded sessions:

• The Federal Advisory Committee Act and Collaboration - May 6, 2009
     File Download
• Good Practices and Tools for Community Organizations Contracting or Entering into Agreements with the Forest Service - June 24, 2010
     File Download

Sign up for the National Forest Foundation listserv (at the bottom of this page) to receive notices of upcoming peer learning sessions.