The quality of life in rural and urban communities is often tied to the health of forests and open space, and certainly to the values, benefits, and experiences that those ecosystems provide. However, there have been tremendous changes over the last several decades. While we may know more about the function and interrelationships of ecological systems, the complexity of resource issues has increased. The Forest Service is working with states, cities, towns, and counties to help deal with these issues. The Power of Collaboration Most of us are familiar with top-down planning, in which the few decide for the many and change comes from the outside.
Collaborative planning is different.
It honors a full spectrum of values, holds everyone responsible for success, and begins with educating one another and discovering common ground. There is no one leader and no one is excluded from sitting at the table. Together, the group envisions the future and creates a plan to get there. Collaborative Planning is about A working together with community members to define shared visions that sustain both the community and the environment. Collaboration can tap reservoirs of collective energy, talent, and inspiration and bring new ideas and information from those who benefit from and depend on forests.