National Forest Foundation Investing Through Stewardship Funds

1. National Forest FoundationInvesting Through Stewardship Funds

2. The National Forest Foundation Formed by Congressional charter in 1991, the National Forest Foundation engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System.

3. The Many Values of America’s National Forests • At 193 million acres, America’s National Forests and Grasslands provide treasured natural lands and critical resources for the entire nation. • Drinking waterfor 66 million Americans • Habitat for 10,000 species of plants and 3,000 species of fish and wildlife. • Carbon sequestration to help mitigate climate change and clean pollutants from our air. • Recreationfor 400 million visits by outdoors enthusiasts and tourists annually

4. Our Shared Accomplishments Working through a combination of on-the-ground conservation initiatives, grant programs and technical assistance, Since 2001, NFF and our partners have: • Completed more than 1,500 conservation and stewardship projects. • Repaired and improved more than 14,000 miles of hiking trails. • Restored more than 117,000 acres of wildlife habitat and treated 80,000 acres of noxious weeds. • Engaged over 120,000 volunteers, valued at more than $33.5M • Planted more than 4.3 million trees and shrubs.

5. Success through Partnership America’s National Forests are the people’s lands. Therefore, the NFF focuses on bringing people together to ensure the future of all the values and benefits these public lands provide. • To accomplish our mission, the NFF engages: • Communities • Grassroots organizations • Local government • U.S. Forest Service • Volunteers • Corporate partners From ranchers to anglers, community leaders to skiers, we all have a stake in the future of our National Forests.

6. Adding Value • We bring added value to our conservation work by always striving to fill unmet stewardship needs as we: • Unite diverse stakeholders • Restore ecosystems • Engage Americans in conservation • Sustain community-based stewardship

7. Unite The NFF’s non-advocacy nature allows us to bring diverse stakeholders together to reflect on their values and work toward zones of agreement, resulting in lasting restoration and stewardship strategies. • The NFF unites through: • funding for collaborative conservation initiatives • expert facilitation and training for community-based stewardship

8. Restore The NFF believes in the power of on-the-ground conservation to restore our National Forests and Grasslands acre-by-acre and stream-by-stream. • The NFF restores through: • Grant programs – Last year, we granted out nearly $4M for local forest stewardship • Tree-planting – The NFF conducts large-scale tree-planting to revitalize forests, watersheds and wildlife habitat after impacts of wildfire, insects and more • Carbon Capital Fund – While replanting damaged forests, this program ensures measurable, verifiable carbon offsets

9. Engage Our National Forests and Grasslands depend upon enduring public appreciation and participation in stewardship. • The NFF engages Americans through: • Volunteerism: Partner projects and our own Friends of the Forest Days (including events with corporate partners) offer hands-on opportunities in the outdoors • Ski Conservation Fund: Skiers make voluntary contributions that support projects near their favorite ski hills • Forest Stewardship Fund: Visitors and residents in forest-dependent communities support projects in the community • Community-based conservation: Encouraging local involvement • Improving recreation opportunities: Enhancing trails, access, wildlife and fisheries habitat, and more MillerCoors and Coca-Cola employees during Friends of the Forest volunteer days 8 8

10. Sustain The NFF values community organizations and recognizes that building their capacity is key to sustaining stewardship on the National Forests and Grasslands. We sustain conservation at the local level through: • Capacity-building support for grass- roots conservation organizations • Technical assistance, training, mentoring and workshops • Developing sustainable funding mechanisms 9 9

11. Expanding Our Reach Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences Conservation Campaign The NFF has expanded its programs to address the critical forest and watershed restoration needs across millions of acres nationwide. • Campaign Goals: • Nurture more resilient ecosystems • Restore landscapes damaged by wildfire, insects, disease and other disturbances • Invest in the strength of communities • Help the American public to appreciate all that National Forests offer, building lasting connections with these lands 10

12. Treasured Landscapes Sites The NFF has selected campaign sites across the nation based on restoration need and ecological values. Collaborative conservation with communities, agencies and corporate partners is taking place at each location. Hayman Fire Pike National Forest, Colorado Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Illinois Camp Hale White River National Forest, Colorado Coconino National Forest, Arizona 11

13. Stewardship Funds • An opportunity for recreation-based businesses to invest in the lands they depend on • NFF partners with forest-dependent businesses • Businesses collect micro-donations from guests and patrons • Funds are pooled together and awarded to accomplish on-the-ground stewardship • A Perfect Fit for NFF • Our Approach – Unite, Restore, Engage, Sustain • NFF Stewardship Programs • Ski Conservation Fund • Forest Stewardship Funds

14. WRNF Ski Conservation FundHighlights • Established in 2006 • Partnership with Vail Resorts, Copper Mountain, and A-Basin • Over $3M invested in the WRNF • Over 75 stewardship projects completed • Grants to 19 separate nonprofit organizations • 2013 Project Partners • Blue River Watershed Group • Colorado Fourteeners Initiative • Colorado Mountain Club • Colorado Natural Heritage Program • Eagle River Watershed Council • Friends of the Dillon Ranger District • Friends of the Eagle Nest Wilderness • Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers • Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory • Rocky Mountain Youth Corps • Student Conservation Association • Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado • Walking Mountains Science Center • Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

15. The Summit Fund • An opportunity for Summit County businesses • Invest in their local National Forest and their tourist industry • Demonstrate their commitment to stewardship and the environment • Expand their marketing opportunities • Support community organizations and volunteerism • An opportunity for local nonprofits, residents, and visitors • Increased stewardship activities • Greater opportunities for volunteerism and engagement • Enhanced recreation opportunities • A chance to give back

16. The Summit Fund • How it Works • Business collect micro-donations from visitors • Donations are pooled together by NFF • Funds are awarded to local nonprofit stewardship groups and the US Forest Service • Partners use local staff and volunteers to accomplish measurable, on-the-ground results • High-Priority Work on the Dillon Ranger District • Grants will be used to accomplish a defined scope of work • Projects will include a broad array of stewardship activities • 2014-15 – Upper Swan River Watershed Landscape Restoration Project

17. Considerations • What does it take to make a stewardship fund work? • Scale – how many visitors? • Efficiencies – how many different businesses service visitors? • The right collection mechanism – how are funds collected? Opt-in or Opt-out? • Does the sponsor have capacity to establish the fund and market the partnerships? • Is there sufficient non-profit or agency capacity to implement projects? • Do businesses recognize the value of the forests? • How are funds used? • Non-competitive grants that accomplish a defined scope of work • Competitive grants – who makes the decision?

18. For Further Information For more information about the National Forest Foundation, please contact us: Marcus Selig Director, Colorado Program 720-437-0290 mselig@nationalforests.org Or Mary Mitsos Executive Vice President 406-830-3351 mmitsos@nationalforests.org THANK YOU!