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Collaboratives continue to emerge as a viable and effective type of organization that can tackle today’s most complex problems. Collaboratives reflect the best qualities of formal and informal organizations — durable and adaptable. To optimize these qualities, their capacity needs must be met.  

The purpose of this research note is two-fold: 

(1)    to raise awareness that collaboratives (as a type of organization) have capacity needs just like all other enduring organizations, and
(2)    to help develop a common language and understanding of collaborative capacity and other relevant terms.

The Mycelium Map was first created for the Stewardship.2021 Spring Forum – a convening of the California Landscape Stewardship Network – to bring Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles into all scales of participation in the Spring Forum, from the individual, organizational, network, and beyond. Going beyond that point in time, the co-creators intend for the Mycelium Map to drive conversation, lead action, and increase connectivity across our field of practice, from regional, state, national, and international levels.

Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC) developed the following guidebook that charts the course of a Forest Service project, from planning through implementation. This document aims to help collaborative groups and other external partners better understand the full “lifecycle” of a Forest Service project and, in turn, develop a better sense for how and when to productively engage with various aspects of the agency’s work, including implementation.

On June 29, 2022, the CLSN continued its Equity Leaders Speaker Series with a visit from Geneva E.B. Thompson, Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs.

California’s long-standing efforts to integrate at a regional and/or watershed scale reflects the importance and value of aligning human activity with natural systems. Multiple state programs were (and are) designed to incentivize watershed and/or regional scale collaboration, and we have many examples of strong collaborations that cross sectors and jurisdictions. Despite the incentives and efforts, full-scale watershed collaborations across jurisdictions and sectors have remained largely elusive. This framework reflects the participants’ commitment to finding an expedient path to cross-jurisdictional, cross-sector watershed scale coordination of management scale actions that builds on and connects the promising work already in progress.

On June 29, 2022, the CLSN continued its Equity Leaders Speaker Series with a visit from Geneva E.B. Thompson, Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs.

On May 19, 2022, Katherine Toy, Deputy Secretary for Access at California Natural Resources Agency, joined the network for the kickoff of a multi-part series sponsored by the CLSN's Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Roundtable for Healing Severed Connections. In a conversation moderated by Kindley Lawlor and hosted by Yakuta Poonawalla, Katherine offers her perspectives on why increasing access to natural and cultural sites in California is so important.

On March 17, 2022, restoration practitioners from across the state joined the 4th virtual Cutting Green Tape Exchange, hosted by the California Landscape Stewardship Network in partnership with California Natural Resources Agency. With a mix of live and pre-recorded sessions, we heard from a great cast of individuals increasing the pace and scale of beneficial environmental restoration, including:

Reflections and Progress Made on Cutting Green Tape by Wade Crowfoot, California Secretary for Natural Resources

Implementing Cutting Green Tape through CA Department of Fish & Wildlife by Jennifer Norris, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity & Habitat

Highlighting Efficiencies in Permitting from CDFW's Cutting Green Tape Program by Brad Henderson, California Department of Fish & Wildlife 

Updates on Cutting Green Tape in the Coastal Zone by Madeline Cavalieri, California Coastal Commission 

Updates on Cutting Green Tape from SWRCB by Phil Crader, State Water Resources Control Board

Interviews on Interagency Efforts to Cut Green Tape by Amy Hutzel, California Coastal Conservancy Jim Robins, Integrated Watershed Restoration Program Kim Caringer, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 

Interviews on Indigenous Stewardship & Cutting Green Tape by Victor Bjelacac, California State Parks  Don Hankins, CSU Chico & Indigenous Stewardship Project

The event was facilitated by Shawn Johnson, Managing Director at the University of Montana's Center for Natural Resources & Environmental Policy.

This project defines and calculates eight metrics for tracking trends related to changes in the natural resources of the Texas Hill Country. Dozens of organizations — nonprofits, government agencies, academic institutions and aligned private businesses — endeavor to protect the land, water and sky of this unique region. The metrics defined here will support these entities as they work individually and collectively through the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network (the Network) to both tell the story of the need for conservation and preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Texas Hill Country.

Consistent with the priority goals outlined by the Network, these metrics focus on: Population growth in unincorporated areas • Amount of conserved lands • Amount of developed lands • Pristine streams • Per capita water consumption • Spring flow • Night sky visibility • Conservation investment

California’s state park system encompasses 279 units of diverse resources from beaches to historic sites, to urban corridors, to vast wild areas. The system is the largest and most diverse state park system in the world, rivaling the entire national park system in many other nations. Because of this complexity, there will always be a need for the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) to embrace and maintain partnerships with many stakeholders. Propelled by State Parks’ vision and leadership, these partnerships can achieve stunning results and provide extraordinary experiences for Californians and the state’s visitors. 

The California State Parks Nonprofit Partnership Study seeks to build a broad understanding of the contributions of cooperating associations, nonprofit operators and co-managers, and other nonprofit donors and program partners supporting state parks across California. The study also highlights best practices in partnership that can help parks and their nonprofit partners reach their fullest potential—together.