Coastal America's leadership in partnerships was also recognized by two outside groups in 1996. The Partnership was nominated for the Innovations in American Government Awards Program sponsored by the Ford Foundation and Harvard University. Each year, the program recognizes government programs that represent creative, highly effective approaches to meeting public needs. This year, Coastal America was among 100 semifinalists for the award, putting it in the top six percent of applicants. The Innovations Program honors these initiatives and encourages other officials, at all levels of government, to adopt the spirit of innovation.
Every semifinalist deserves praise as a model of creativity for policy makers nationwide.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife and plant resources produces an annual assessment of the federal agencies with major responsibilities for the conservation and enhancement of the nation's fish, wildlife and plant communities. In a three page review of the partnership, Coastal America was praised for its accomplishments and its potential to serve as a model of good government. It also encourages agencies to look for cost-efficient ways to further each other's objectives and to remove bureaucratic obstacles that cost money or impede attaining shared goals. Recognition from such respected groups has provided encouragement to those who are working hard to make the Coastal America process so successful. It has also shown that there is a need to increase understanding of the partnership process so that it can be applied to other critical problems facing our nation.