Inaugural Newsletter

Partnership Vision 

Resilient and well-managed forests that improve water resources and create healthy watersheds. 

Welcome! 

We are so thrilled to announce the launch of the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water website and quarterly newsletter! Feel free to pass on this newsletter and our new site with others who you think would be interested in learning more or collaborating.

The Northeast Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water (“the Partnership”) is an interagency, multi-partner collaborative to improve coordinated, science-driven restoration of critical forest landscapes to improve water quality and quantity in 13 states across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The region’s numerous streams, lakes, and reservoirs provide drinking water to 66 million people, or around 40% of the American population. Approximately 25% of U.S. forests are located in the Northeast and Midwest regions, with a total of 89 million forested acres within the area of the Partnership.

Partners make the Partnership!

Interested in joining this list of supporting active partners? For more information on ways you can get involved, check out our list of partners’ roles and responsibilities. Contact us and sign-up to join the Partnership! 

• Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership
• Association of State Drinking Water Administrators*
• Cacapon Institute
• Connecticut Council of Soil and Water Conservation*
• Fish and Wildlife Service (Northeast Region)*
• Ground Water Protection Council
• Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• Mi’kmaq Nation
• National Association of Conservation Districts*
• National Association of State Foresters*
• Natural Resources Conservation Service*
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• Northeast Midwest State Foresters Alliance*
• Ohio Division of Forestry
• Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society
• Southeastern Partnership for Forests & Water
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency*
• U.S. Forest Service*

* Indicates partners who participate on the Steering Committee 

Join us in Boston on August 11th! 

Join us for a free day of Partnership convenings. We’ve got a full day of activities planned to enhance and strengthen the Partnership, including leadership sessions, networking, breakout discussions, and workshopping. Preview the agenda here.

You can register for the full 2024 NACD Summer Meeting, held at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston, MA from August 9-14 (registration fee applies) or just join us on Sunday, August 11. If you plan to attend on Sunday, please fill out this quick survey to let us know.

What’s New 

• The Partnership launched in September 2023, receiving its first Landscape Scale Restoration Grant which enabled the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and partners to collaboratively advance science-based restoration initiatives in priority forest landscapes and key watersheds across the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Region.
• In June 2024, NACD received notice that they are receiving a second Landscape Scale Restoration grant to facilitate the continued collaboration among the diverse array of partners. This collaboration in states across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will foster shared learning and support forested watershed restoration activities, ensuring a sustainable future for forested watersheds.
• As of July 2024, the Partnership has developed a governance structure, a communications strategy, a charter, and has also finalized a Partnership logo and branded collateral. See the New Resources section below to download available documents.
• Projects are underway in Connecticut and Ohio! Ohio has recently revised their Best Management Practices for Erosion Control for Logging & Forestry Practices manual and is working on conducting educational outreach events to educate natural resources professionals and landowners on how to use these BMPs to protect water quality. In Connecticut, implementers are supporting collaborative partnerships that equip landowners with the resources and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their forested lands.

 Goals for the remainder of 2024: 

• Further build the programmatic structure for the sustainability of the Partnership, create unified messaging materials for elevating and expanding the Partnership, and create a training initiative for natural resource practitioners, water utility personnel, and other on the ground stakeholders.
• Throughout the year, the Partnership will design and create web-accessible communication tools to share materials with members (e.g., through the website, newsletters and announcements), organize meetings, and create tools to engage landowners and align partners.
• Members will begin regional scoping for partner alignment to build on work that enhances the Partnership’s mission, vision, values, and goals.
• State implementation teams will initiate new projects in Pennsylvania and West Virginia utilizing funding from the second LSR grant award.

Around the Region  

Ohio

In Ohio, implementers will guide conservation efforts in 30 Appalachian counties categorized as “most disadvantaged” or “disadvantaged,” analyzing program access and equity issues through discussions to improve outreach and engagement with underserved forest owners. 

Connecticut

Connecticut implementers will support collaborative partnerships for informed forest land management and restore up to 50 acres of riparian buffers in priority watersheds. Restoration efforts will benefit low-income and minority communities, including those in the greater New Haven area and rural areas like Putnam. 

West Virginia

In West Virginia, implementers will meet to prioritize forested areas and watersheds for community projects, emphasizing wildlife habitat, state forest goals, and water quality protection. Collaboration between West Virginia’s Association of Conservation Districts and local districts will educate landowners and promote participation in program practices.  

Upcoming Opportunities

• NACD’s 2024 Summer Conservation Forum & Tours
  • Survey to confirm attendance on Sunday, August 11
• Joint Chiefs’ FY25 Solicitation Webinars: The USDA Joint Chiefs are hosting webinars to provide an overview of the Joint Chiefs program and the FY25 solicitation.
  • Webinar, August 6, 2024 @ 2pm EDT
• Mark your calendars! We are planning to hold another in-person Partnership Forum in Hamden, Connecticut on November 20th-21st. More details will be sent out in the coming weeks!

New Resources

• The Partnership Charter Document
• The Partnership Two-Pager Fact Sheet
• The Partnership Governance Document
• The Partnership Strategic Plan
• How to Talk About the Partnership Presentation Deck

Questions 

Stay up to date with Partnership news, events, resources, and more with our quarterly newsletter. Contact us with any questions or collaborative opportunities.