Staying Connected Initiative: Lessons learned from a bi-national conservation partnership

The Staying Connected Initiative (SCI) was launched in 2009 with support from one of the first nationally awarded Competitive State Wildlife Grants from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. This bi-national initiative has become one of the most visible examples of large landscape conservation in the East.  SCI’s mission is to sustain forested connections across the 80+ million acre Northern Appalachian–Acadian region of the northeastern US and southeastern Canada for the benefit of wildlife and people. SCI grew out of the visionary regional scale science collaboration of the Two Countries, One Forest consortium that identified “habitat linkages” essential to keeping this region functionally connected. SCI has since conducted finer-scale modeling to identify likely pathways for wildlife movement and priority areas for conservation action – habitat “stepping stones”, critical road segments, and communities with key forested areas.  SCI partners deploy a multi-faceted approach of place-based work and regional strategies to sustain landscape connectivity, including land protection, land use planning technical assistance, road barrier mitigation, policy work, and community outreach and engagement. SCI has demonstrated an innovative approach to translating science into a diverse mix of conservation action at multiple scales – from parcel-specific to ecoregional.

The initiative brings together a diverse network of organizations across this transboundary area, led by a core group of more than 20 public agencies and NGOs. This presentation also examines the promise and challenges and lessons learned about governance needed to build and sustain a bi-national partnership spanning 5 states, 3 provinces, and 80+ million acres.