In June 2021, The Next 100 Coalition entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service’ Washington D.C. National Office of Recreation, Heritage & Volunteer Resources to assist them in fostering relationships between the US Forest Service and leaders from Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color with the goal of helping to identify and take actions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the U.S. Forest Service, particularly related to conservation and outdoor recreation program delivery. 

Background: 

The U.S. Forest Service is a land and resource management agency responsible for providing national leadership in forestry stewardship, conservation and research. As part of this leadership, the Forest Service is committed to promoting and providing equity, diversity, and inclusion in outdoor recreation program delivery. In addition to the 2017 Presidential Memorandum and Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, the Forest Service’s FY21 final program direction identifies “advancing racial equity” as one of the agency’s top five priorities for FY21.

Goals Of Partnership:

• Foster lasting relationships between the U.S. Forest Service and leaders from Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color.
• Introducing innovative solutions for the future that bring partners, government, education and community leadership together.
• Create spaces for  Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color leaders from across the country speak freely about their experiences and challenges and potential of this work with the US Forest Service.
• Identify and prioritize actions to lead to more equitable agency programs, policies and public engagement efforts in the U.S. Forest Service.

Timeframe of Current Activities: October 2021 – December 2023

Activities: 

• Convene a listening sessions of Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color leaders from across the country to speak freely about their experiences, challenges and potential of work
• Conduct sessions for reflections, processing and discussions following the listening session for the U.S. Forest Service staff.
• Assist agency staff in identifying and strategizing actions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in agency programs and public engagement efforts. 
• Assist agency staff in identifying additional training and skill development needed internally to develop a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.