![[logo] US EPA](../gif/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Public Involvement Network News
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
WestCAN Partnership Begins
The Forest Service Northern Region, which encompasses 25 million acres and is spread over 5 states (northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, and Montana; and the national grasslands in North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota), and the National Forest Foundation are supporting the Western Collaboration Assistance Network (WestCAN) to advance the field of collaborative stewardship within the region. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is able to provide support to collaborative efforts on National Forests and Grasslands of the Northern Region through a challenge cost share agreement with the Region.
NFF, in partnership with The Sonoran Institute, will enable WestCan to provide its services to Department of Interior organizations and community based groups throughout the Western States. (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY).
WestCAN
seeks to broaden the community of people working together toward shared goals on public lands issues. By providing “nuts and bolts” technical assistance (including free information and referrals, an on line resources library, coaching and mentoring, facilitation and more) and documenting best practices and lessons learned, the organization hopes to raise the general knowledge and skill level of collaborative stewardship practitioners, prevent repetition of common mistakes and support collaborative decision-making on natural resource and growth issues.
WestCan encourages those experienced in the field to share their expertise with others new to collaboration to help everyone improve overall effectiveness, spur innovation, and recognize successes.