Stewardship Contracting Brochure Available

Developed to help explain its benefits to units throughout the Forest Service, the brochure, “Stewardship Contracting - Basic stewardship contracting concepts,” describes what stewardship contracting is, how the contracts are used, what is unique about it, how it works, and more.

In addition to distribution to Forest Service offices, the brochure is being made available to agency partners, contractors, and other members of the public interested in restoration activities on National Forest System lands.

“There is great value in using stewardship contracts and agreements to help the Forest Service achieve its land management goals, such as forest restoration, watershed protection, and wildlife conservation,” said Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, National Forest System.  He went on to say “The employment resulting from stewardship contracts and agreements also contribute to meeting the need for vibrant local economies”.

One of the key components of successful use of stewardship contracting is collaboration explained Tom Peterson, Washington Office Forest Management Director.  “We really wanted to include a picture that depicted collaboration between the Agency and local communities,” he said.

The brochure includes photographs illustrating the great work being done with stewardship contracting, such as fisheries habitat improvement, hazardous fuels reduction, and commercial harvesting.

 “Several Forests submitted photographs for inclusion in the brochure.  When I saw this one picture of the Clackamas Stewardship Partners standing along a newly completed culvert replacement for improved fish passage on the Mt. Hood National Forest, I knew that had to be in there,” Peterson explained.

Shortly after the brochures were printed, Peterson learned of the passing of Mt. Hood National Forest Fisheries Biologist Bob Bergamini.  “The fish passage project was Bob’s,” said Peterson.  “Bob is standing there with so much pride among others that helped.  He was one of those outstanding individuals who saw the benefits of stewardship contracting when its use was authorized.  If it were not for Bob Bergamini, stewardship contracting and collaboration on the Mt. Hood would not be anywhere near where it is today.”

Peterson notes that readers are encouraged to remember that the successes of accomplishing land management objectives with stewardship contracts and agreements are generally those that are led by a local champion like Bergamini.

Forest Service staffers Barbara Menzel, Sharon Nygaard-Scott, Megan Roessing and Tim Dabney were responsible for developing the publication.   The brochures will be distributed to each Forest Supervisor.  For additional copies, contact tdabney@fs.fed.us