Organizing, mobilizing, and accelerating collaborative conservation projects
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF JOINING THE STEWARDSHIP NETWORK?
The Stewardship Network (TSN) is a capacity building organization that provides the tools, resources, and backbone infrastructure for individuals and organizations to collaborate on protecting, restoring, and managing natural areas. In addition to increasing local capacity, participants are also connected with our network of stewards across the country for peer to peer learning opportunities.
WHAT IS A 3C?
3C is short for “Collaborative Conservation Community.” Collaborative Conservation Communities are unique, community-based collaboratives supported by The Stewardship Network. 3Cs engage in on-the-ground conservation action as well as volunteer and professional development. TSN supports each 3C as they decide their area of focus and helps drive toward action. Each 3C is unique, but usually consists of professional land managers, private property owners, land trusts and land conservancies, parks departments, non-profit organizations, tribal representatives, private businesses, academics, researchers, volunteers, and other government entities. These constituents convene to create large scale impact in their communities by sharing information and resources, and implementing collaborative projects. With combined impact networking strategies, 3Cs and TSN engage in landscape level collaborative conservation.
IF WE FORM A 3C, HOW INVOLVED IS THE STEWARDSHIP NETWORK?
Local leadership is imperative to forming a sustainable collaborative. TSN’s mission is to connect, equip, and mobilize- not micromanage from afar. Our involvement can ebb and flow depending on the project, time, or local leadership style. Bottom line: We’re here for you.
WE HAVE AN EXISTING PARTNERSHIP/COLLABORATIVE AND WE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN TSN’S NETWORK OF 3Cs. WHAT NOW?
Reach out to us by emailing Rachel@StewardshipNetwork.org or calling our office at 734-996-3190. We’ll spend a little time getting to know each other, discussing your needs and what you would like to gain by joining our network. After that, the process is simple. We have a straightforward memorandum of understanding (MOU) which lists the services that you can tap into and the things you need to do. And with that, we’ll welcome you into our family of 3Cs.
WE WOULD LIKE TO START A NEW 3C. HOW DO WE BEGIN?
Step one is to gauge interest of other parties in your area. If there is traction with several partners in your area, we will then work with you to identify others in your region and host a gathering to explore opportunities, barriers, what you might work on and who else might join. This “Exploring the Possibilities Workshop” is facilitated by 1 or 2 people trained in supporting the launch of new 3Cs. By the end of this workshop you will understand how The Stewardship Network works, the resources TSN can provide, and be connected to even more people in your region who care for land and water. At the end of the workshops, attendees may decide if they would like to move forward with a formal launch.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO JOIN?
There is no cost to join TSN’s network of 3Cs. 3Cs contribute in other ways to the health and impact of the network as a whole. There is an initial cost to the “Exploring the Possibilities” workshop. The local community pays the cost for TSN facilitators to travel and their time running and following up on the workshop.
HOW WOULD OUR 3C BE STRUCTURED?
Each 3C has one or two local coordinators who convene a planning committee to organize the local collaborative projects. The coordinator is the main point-person and connection between the 3C and The Stewardship Network. These coordinators are connected with other 3C coordinators who can act as mentors and guides. They are also connected to leadership development opportunities. Additionally, each 3C will have a planning committee made up of community members. Some groups have a very formal leadership structure with multiple committees, others are more informal, but just as dedicated.
IS BEING A COORDINATOR A PAID POSITION?
Most of our coordinators are volunteers. Often the organization they work for (a land trust, a watershed council, a consulting firm, etc.) sees the benefit that the position has for the community and allows this role to be part of their job. Other times, the coordinator is retired community member. And then there are times, most often with grant funding, when the coordinator is paid.
WHAT ARE THE FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR THIS MODEL?
There are three funding models for TSN 3Cs: local community sweat equity; grant funding; and community and philanthropic contribution. Most often, it is a combination of all three and funding will vary over time. We will be here to help and guide through all three scenarios as resources ebb and flow. We have two decades of experience helping collaboratives function over time and get things done!
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Feel free to send our Program Manager an email at Rachel@StewardshipNetwork.org, or call the office at (734) 996-3190.
We look forward to hearing from you!