The Staying Connected Initiative - Science To Action Across Scales

Launched in 2009 with support from one of the first nationally awarded Competitive State Wildlife Grants from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Staying Connected Initiative (SCI – www.stayingconnectedinitiative.org) 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. 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.

SCI grew out of the visionary regional scale science of the Two Countries, One Forest consortium (www.2c1forest.org), which identified “no regrets” habitat linkages that are essential for keeping this region functionally connected. SCI has since conducted finer-scale modeling within each of those linkages to identify likely pathways for wildlife movement and priority areas for conservation action – habitat “stepping stones” and pinchpoints, critical road segments, communities with key forested areas, etc. SCI partners deploy a multi-faceted approach of place-based work and regional strategies to sustain landscape connectivity in these areas, including land protection, land use planning technical assistance, road barrier mitigation, policy work, and community outreach and engagement.  

This poster will describe SCI’s innovative approach to translating science into a diverse mix of conservation action at multiple scales – from parcel-specific to ecoregional. It also will explore the promise and challenges of building and sustaining a bi-national partnership spanning 5 states, 3 provinces, and 80+ million acres.