SEAFWA 2017

AUTHORS: Wylie Carr, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Jeffrey Fleming, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: For the past six years, federal, state, and non-profit conservation organizations have been working together to develop the Southeastern Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS), a shared, long-term vision for connected lands and waters that support thriving fish, wildlife, and human populations. In a region where over 90 percent of the land is privately held, making this vision a reality means developing an effective engagement strategy that reaches outside the traditional conservation community. This presentation will highlight the first iteration of the SECAS Engagement Strategy and examine the process for developing it._x000D_

The SECAS engagement strategy will support 15 states, 12 federal agencies and more than a dozen other partners in providing a consistent and flexible approach to effectively reaching out and working with diverse stakeholders. As the SECAS effort consists of partnerships between state, federal, and regional entities, the strategy also provides guidance for working at multiple geographic, political, and economic scales. This presentation will provide existing SECAS partners with a first look at the strategy and an opportunity to provide feedback. It also will examine the process used to develop the engagement strategy. This process was informed by social science theory and practice and developed in consultation with the human dimensions community across the southeast. The goal of the engagement strategy is to ensure that key stakeholders are active participants in the development of our future conservation priorities and activities. This presentation will highlight lessons learned and best practices that others can use in developing engagement strategies for their organizations.