ABSTRACT
Seeing one’s own experience reflected in the experiences of others creates a sense of camaraderie that is sorely lacking in most federal land management; it is the ‘we’re in this togetherness’ spirit that is a hallmark of successful Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) projects across the west. However, the Blue Mountains Forest Partners (BMFP) – like many of the CFLRP compatriots – have learned that engaging organizations and individuals who can bring non-partisan scientific information and approaches to the table is key to success. While collaboration is often touted as a way for discordant stakeholders to work out their differences amongst themselves, just as often collaboration is a way for stakeholders and the Forest Service to repair the broken relationships through what sometimes feels like cage-match marriage counselling.
