2022 Employee Conservation Finance Training: Connecting project needs with financing, funding opportunities
WASHINGTON, D.C.—When a staff officer from the Inyo National Forest arrived at the 2019 Forest Service Conservation Finance Training, she had a difficult task in front of her. In just a few short days, she needed to learn how finance tools might help the forest to obtain millions of dollars for badly needed campground repairs and improvements on a forest which services 2.3 million visitors annually.
Along with approximately 50 personnel from across the agency, the Inyo National Forest’s representative spent three days learning about conservation finance tools that could help meet funding needs for sustainable recreation infrastructure. The trainees were educated on the fundamentals of conservation finance and introduced to industry experts from around the country.
National forests and grasslands across the country face significant financial challenges. Longer and more intense fire seasons and deferred facility maintenance underscore ongoing funding shortfalls. However, there are increasing opportunities to leverage external capital beyond congressional appropriations as demand for investments in social and ecological responsibility grows quickly. This combination of need and opportunity compels the Forest Service to consider new ways to secure financial resources to meet conservation challenges.
Through conservation finance models, the Forest Service does not shoulder the bulk of financing of a project. External stakeholders that benefit from projects share some or all the project cost, and partners bring personnel, expertise, and focus to project. The project and its financing are the focus, not Forest Service limitations.
Co-hosted by the Forest Service Conservation Finance Program and National Forest Foundation, a second Forest Service Conservation Finance Training will be held from January through March of 2022. Like in 2019, the sessions will introduce staff to innovative funding models to finance important projects like improving campgrounds and reducing hazardous fuels. The training will provide guidance to staff on using a range of capital sources, including private investment, corporate dollars, philanthropy, Forest Service appropriations, and non-Forest Service public funds.
“The training prepares Forest Service staff across levels, roles, and geographies to lead in identifying opportunities to leverage external capital, and in developing conservation finance projects,” says Nathalie Woolworth, Conservation Finance Program Manager. “It connects agency staff and partners with financial expertise and helps to establish and grow an internal community of practice around innovative finance.”
Since the 2019 training, local Forest Service partner Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access successfully applied for an Innovative Finance for National Forest grant. The grant provided financial support for Quantified Ventures, an outcomes-based financing firm, to work closely with the Inyo National Forest, MLTPA and other local partners to develop a business plan. The business plan is comprised of a profitability study, financing strategy and an implementation plan to help the Inyo National Forest carry out needed projects. For more information on the second annual 2019 Forest Service Conservation Finance Training, visit agency Conservation Finance resources.