Collaboration at Work
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year of collaboration, momentum, and shared impact across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. From strengthening partnerships to advancing on-the-ground restoration efforts, this year demonstrated what’s possible when diverse partners work toward a common goal: healthy forests and clean water.
It’s been a while! Want a recap of 2024? Take a glance at our 2024 Annual Report Infographic.
Curious about all we accomplished in 2025? Check out our 2025 Annual Report Infographic to learn about the impact we made in the last year.
State Implementer Spotlights
Across the region, state-led efforts continued to turn collaboration into action!
Connecticut: Connecticut partners advanced major policy and planning efforts in 2025 to strengthen watershed health through nature-based solutions. New legislation elevated forest and riparian protections, including initiatives focused on expanding forest acreage, protecting wetlands, and advancing riparian buffer strategies. Partners also helped shape priorities within the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, emphasizing forested watersheds as a key solution for water quality.
Alongside policy progress, partners expanded education, outreach, and technical assistance for forest landowners and prepared new training and cost-share opportunities set to launch in 2026.
Ohio: Ohio partners continued building a cost-share pilot program to support improved forestry practices statewide. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry partnered with the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District to streamline application, review, and payment processes for participating loggers and foresters.
Outreach efforts throughout the year raised awareness of the program across professional forestry and conservation networks. With multiple Forestry Pollution Prevention Plans submitted, the first project payment was scheduled for late 2025, marking an important step toward expanding participation.
Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, partners laid the groundwork for Landscape Scale Restoration–funded projects beginning in late 2025. Efforts include establishing riparian buffer demonstration sites and conducting targeted outreach to private forest landowners.
Through education, partnerships, and connections to available funding programs, these efforts aim to increase awareness and adoption of practices that protect forested watersheds and improve water quality across the state.
West Virginia: West Virginia partners prepared to initiate Landscape Scale Restoration–funded implementation activities in late 2025, with a focus on riparian restoration and aquatic habitat protection. Trout Unlimited and the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts are working with local conservation districts to engage landowners and support practice adoption.
Planned efforts included riparian restoration, agricultural exclusion fencing, and streambank protection, designed to improve water quality while supporting working lands.
Looking Ahead
With a second Landscape Scale Restoration grant awarded in 2024, the Partnership is well positioned to continue building momentum. Partners are aligning around shared priorities, supporting state-led implementation, and expanding opportunities for learning and collaboration across the region.
Share Your Story
Do you have a success, lesson learned, or project highlight you’d like to share? It takes about three minutes to submit your story! Selected stories will be highlighted in upcoming newsletters. Share your story in the form or by clicking the link below – your experiences help tell the story of this Partnership and inspire others across the region!
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Upcoming Webinars and Learning Opportunities
The following webinars are being shared as upcoming learning opportunities that may be of interest to partners. While not hosted by the Partnership, these sessions highlight relevant approaches, tools, and partnership models that support forest and watershed protection.
From Plan to Progress: Investing in Your Green Stormwater Infrastructure Workforce
Environmental Finance Center Network; January 8, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM EST
This webinar will explore how investing in a strong Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) workforce can support effective stormwater management while delivering broader community benefits. Featuring Philadelphia Water Department’s approach, the session will share practical lessons and tangible steps for building and strengthening GSI workforce programs at any stage of development.
Register here.
Stronger Together: Forests & Water Partnerships
Source Water Collaborative & Southeastern Partnership for Forests & Water; January 15, 2026 | 2:00-3:30 PM EST
This interactive webinar will highlight how forest management and conservation are being leveraged to protect drinking water sources, with case examples from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Denver Water. The session will include presentations, a Q&A, and a brief breakout discussion, offering participants an opportunity to connect with peers and explore how similar strategies could be applied in their own regions.
Register here.
Stay Tuned!
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved in 2026 – exciting ways to engage are coming soon!
Northeast Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water 
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