Description

For information on how to apply, please see the attached 'Outreach of Interest Template Instructions' document.

This Outreach of Interest (OOI) functions as an outreach mechanism to cultivate relationships and connect with potential partners. This OOI is intended to solicit responses to explore future projects meeting the needs and interests of potential partners through partnership agreements within legislative authority with USDA Forest Service.

USDA Forest Service is looking seeking assistance in the interpretation and education of our Nation’s history, especially perspectives from communities that have been historically marginalized or underserved. This includes but is not limited to Indigenous persons perspectives, as well as presenting our agency’s history of natural resource management. This initiative aims to foster co-stewardship between USDA Forest Service and educational, interpretive and history focused partners to assist the agency to interpret and educate the public on natural and cultural resources issues associated with 193 million acres of lands managed by the agency. The USDA Forest Service works with other land management agencies, local communities, interested publics, and Tribes to ensure agency actions address cultural sensitivities and priorities.

Your submission signals an opportunity for USDA Forest Service to explore with you your ideas/projects/programs and federal funding opportunities. USDA Forest Service is committed to fostering a strong, collaborative partnership that benefits heritage resources and improves cooperation and consultation with State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Governments, and the public. These collaborations are vital for not only the preservation and management of cultural resources, but also assist in helping the agency manage healthy forests through the incorporation of traditional and historical knowledge into modern management decisions.

USDA Forest Service seeks to actively involve potential partner programs in heritage program efforts by providing support and guidance to program participants, sharing successful working models, and assisting with agreements that include helping the agency promote historic preservation, cultural awareness, and advancing the heritage program.

The USDA Forest Service manages 36.6 million acres of wilderness, 158,000 miles of trails, 4,300 campgrounds, 9 national monuments and one national historic site. Many of these resources contain information kiosks, interpretive displays or other information sharing hubs to the public to provide for their safety, enhance their enjoyment and use of the environment and to provide a historical perspective of the area. Interpretive materials are dated, in disrepair or incomplete. Opportunities for partnership participation include the development of text and artwork in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service and its consultants and develop materials that adhere to current agency priorities, accurate historical perspectives, and overall goals.

Nationwide, the workload for heritage program activities exceeds capacity. Partnerships benefit the agency by increasing capacity. In addition, they can enhance engagement with community members and help cultivate a vested interest in long term success and shared “ownership” in final outcomes. They can provide opportunities for job training, personal development, conservation service, and natural and cultural resource appreciation while cultivating the next generation of natural resource stewards.