Some partnerships are loosely structured, while others are quite formal. Regardless of how they are structured, making partnerships work is challenging and takes commitment. Common issues that partnerships face include selecting a leader, ensuring that all the right people are involved, and moving beyond any hostility that may exist among members. If a group is able to develop esprit de corps, they can be quite effective. Some groups have decided to say that issues that are too divisive are not to be discussed.
Partners can include any one who has an interest in the watershed.
This ranges from conservation groups, local elected officials, chambers of commerce, environmental education organizations, local military bases, farm groups, students, senior citizen and religious organizations, financial groups, credit unions, and land developers, among others. The important thing is to include all the key interest groups so that you can tap into their strengths, increase your credibility, reduce duplication of effort, and make optimal use of limited funds. Further, building partnerships takes time and commitment, and once built they need to be nurtured. However, their benefits are clear as they can lead to wider acceptance and quicker implementation of projects.