The Forest Service works to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Our partners at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) are vital to accomplishing our mission and increasing our productivity through collaboration on shared goals. Partners of the Forest Service at LBL include nonprofit and for-profit entities, other Federal entities, states and counties, colleges and universities, tribal communities, and more. The agency strives to recognize the valuable contributions partners bring including traditional ecological knowledge; creativity and innovation for effective public outreach and education; experience in managing work projects; and subject-matter expertise.
Current Partnerships
Land Between the Lakes Association
Land Between the Lakes Association has been a partner of the Forest Service since 1998. As a “Friends” group, they assist the Forest Service by providing workforce to staff facilities at LBL, facilitate workforce development opportunities through internships, manage the LBL volunteer program, and much more.
National Forest Foundation
This partnership between National Forest Foundation (NFF) and Forest Service at LBL was created to facilitate a sustainable recreation improvement project at Woodlands Nature Station.
NFF and Forest Service at LBL have partnered to conduct a Partnerships on Every Forest assessment. This assessment assists staff at LBL to identify current partnership gaps and create a strategy for partnership engagement.
National Deer Association
This partnership allows National Deer Association to work collaboratively with Murray State University and Forest Service to process deer density survey results and publish a report.
Middle Tennessee State University
In collaboration with Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal members, MTSU and Forest Service staff are engaging MTSU graduate students to design and install signage on LBL to interpret the Water Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
West Virginia Department of Natural Resources
The Forest Service established this partnership to allow the State of West Virginia to receive elk from LBL. This transfer facilitates the States elk restoration program.
HistoriCorps
HistoriCorps and Forest Service work closely to conduct period-accurate repairs on the 1850’s Homeplace Working Farm.
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
This partnership allows Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to sell LBL hunter use permit/camping permit at physical locations and online.
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency
This partnership allows Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to sell LBL hunter use permit/camping permit at physical locations and online.
Conservation Legacy—Southeast Conservation Corps
Forest Service at LBL built a partnership with Southeast Conservation Corps to facilitate workforce development opportunities for young adults and veterans to gain experience in the field of natural resource management.
AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps
Forest Service at LBL built a partnership with AmeriCorps National Civilian Conservation Corps to facilitate workforce development opportunities for young adults and veterans to gain experience in the field of natural resource management.
Student Conservation Association
This partnership was formed to allow two Student Conservation Association Integrated Fire and Recreation Interns to support Forest Service staff at LBL with recreation and hazardous fuels reduction projects.
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
A Federal partner, APHIS assists Forest Service at LBL in conducting operation feral swine management to reduce/eliminate feral swine at LBL. The removal of feral swine is intended to slow the spread of and damages caused by invasive/injurious species to natural resources and agriculture.
Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
Stewart County Sheriff’s Office assists Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers at LBL by providing dispatch services and responding to law enforcement calls within LBL.
Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge
This partnership assists in maintaining the Riverlands Alliance collaborative. Riverlands Alliance is a multi-agency partnership comprised of Federal, state, and local entities aimed at increasing tourism and stimulation the economy of the Riverlands region.
Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
Using the Good Neighbor Authority, Forest Service staff at LBL received assistance from the State in conducting terrestrial and non-terrestrial survey work, including prices potato bean, bat species, etc.
Chickasaw Nation
A partnership was established between Chickasaw Nation and Forest Service at LBL to facilitate the Nation in their efforts to repatriate human remains and funerary objects within the boundaries of LBL.
Chicago Botanical Gardens
Forest Service staff at LBL partner with Chicago Botanical Garden with collecting samples to facilitate research related to Dutch elm disease.
The Forest Service at LBL couldn’t accomplish their mission without the help of partners. If you’re interested in partnering, or if you would like more information, please contact Shane Brady, Partnership Coordinator at shane.brady@usda.gov.
More information on partnering with the Forest Service can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/partnerships
