The Four Corners Sustainable Forests Partnership builds linkages between healthy forest ecosystems and healthy communities.

The Partnership will request funding from Congress through 2003 to support identified programs whose goals are listed below. Real effort is being made to accomplish a great deal within a short time frame. The Partnership hopes that programs will create a lasting momentum within several key areas: consensus around forest restoration principles and needs, community infrastructure to utilize small diameter material, and a region-wide network of interests and specialists working on sustainable forestry issues.

• Merge environmental and economic concerns by helping identify relationships between ecosystem needs, jobs in the forest, and manufacturing value-added products.
• Strengthen and diversify rural economies by supporting community led projects that achieve forest restoration and create high-value manufacturing opportunities with the by-products.
• Increase regional expertise on small-diameter wood utilization, marketing, and innovative forest restoration strategies by connecting local entrepreneurs and other interests to technical assistance specialists, demonstration projects, and workshops.
• Reduce the loss of natural resources as well as improve wildlife habitat by encouraging the restoration of forest ecosystems at-risk for catastrophic fire, insects, and disease.
• Develop and expand markets for products made from small diameter material by fostering regional and national networks as well as providing professional assistance to businesses.
• Increase regional agreement and understanding around forest restoration through numerous learning forums such as conferences, workshops, and demonstration project field trips.

The Partnership began in 1997 with the leadership of New Mexico State Forester, Toby Martinez, and other Western State Foresters. They saw throughout the Four Corners region increasing risks for catastrophic fire and insect outbreaks in forest ecosystems as well as a declining capacity in communities to deal with forest restoration and maintenance needs. These conditions exist across social and jurisdictional boundaries in the Four Corners States of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

The Partnership is motivated by the need to focus attention and resources on forest restoration and community issues common throughout the region. The original coalition of diverse interests had expanded to over 50 businesses, organizations, and agencies by 1998. They began to identify clear goals and seek Congressional funding to support the mission. Congress provided seed funding in 1999 through the US Forest Services State and Private Forestry Economic Action Programs.

A steering committee administers the Partnerships funding and implements outreach and programs. The committee contains 20 seats with equal representation from the states, tribes, and the U.S. Forest Service. Representatives are self selected based on active involvement in the Partnership. All Four Corners residents are encouraged to utilize FCSFP information and to collaborate with FCSFP Partners in pursuit of the FCSFP mission.

FCSFP Funding
The Partnership will request funding from Congress through 2003 to support identified program areas. 

All Four Corners residents are encouraged to utilize FCSFP information and to collaborate with FCSFP Partners in pursuit of the FCSFP mission. The following FCSFP Coordinators welcome your inquires.

Links to visit www.southwestwood.com and www.colostate.edu/programs/cowood