In 1986, the United States Congress established the Challenge Cost-Share Program. It is a unique venture in which State and private sectors share in both the management and the cost of Federal habitat improvement programs. Congressional funding of Forest Service Challenge Cost-Share projects is contingent upon receipt of matching contributions from conservation groups, private enterprises, individuals, or other public agencies.
Partnerships involve matching monies, labor, and equipment or sharing techincal skills.
The Forest Service partners with thousands of people from hundreds of organizations and agencies such as Defenders of Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy. Partners also included representatives from government agencies on all levels. The number of partners has grown from 57 when the program began in 1986 to over 3,100 in 1994. In the same year, partners helped make possible the completion of nearly 3,000 habitat improvement projects for wildlife, fish and rare plants. Call your local district or forest and talk with the biologists about participating in their CCS program.