The Eastern Forest Partnership held an outreach summit at the Hilton Knoxville (TN) in early June of 2006 on the heels of a highly successful Atlanta event in 2005 to once again bring together local, state, regional, and national groups with an interest in conservation of southern forests.

Guest speakers included Ms. Liz Crane and Mr. Thurman Harp from U.S. Forest Service Region 8, who oversee funding through the Forest Legacy Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), respectively. Both speakers educated the group about how best to use these programs for conservation projects and lauded attendees for their commitment to southern forests. The group also heard from Ms. Lark Hayes of the Southern Environmental Law Center, a regional leader on Farm Bill forest stewardship and conservation programs who spoke about the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization and opportunities for southern forests.

The more than thirty organizations assembled then spent the balance of the day discussing how to increase political will in the South for federal conservation funding programs, including how to participate in the Eastern Forest Partnership’s Legacy Forests Campaign. The Partnership is planning at least one outreach summit for 2007, tentatively set for the Central Appalachian region. To participate in future events, please contact Jad Daley at 802-253-8227 X13 or coordinator@easternforest.org.