Partners for Conservation invited conservation partnership practitioners from across the West to Boise the last week in August to share experience and learn from one another regarding the foundational elements of collaboration, such as:

• initiating conversations with diverse perspectives,
• establishing relationships,
• maintaining transparency,
• building trust,
• discovering a shared vision,
• and getting things done.

The gathering included two different sessions, each of them one a day and a half long and including landowners, public agency staff, and representatives from several nonprofit organizations that are all participating in one or more collaborative conservation efforts. Many of the conversations revolved around the time and commitment it takes to build and maintain the relationships and maintain effective communication between the partners, as well as engaging potential partners new to the collaborative approach. The attendees also provided a number of great ideas related to how Partners for Conservation can help support individuals and partnerships that seek to utilize the collaborative approach to sustain landscapes.

A report summarizing the week is in preparation and will be available later this fall, and future gatherings are in the works. Partners for Conservation would like to thank all the participants as well as the presenters, which also included landowners, agency, and nonprofit staff. We would also like to thank the Hewlett Foundation for financial support as well as the public partners that supported the event, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.