Conceptualization of interactions between partners and the U.S. Forest Service

Abstract

Since the 1980s, U.S. Forest Service managers have faced reduced appropriations, constraining their capacity to manage recreation lands, facilities, and services. Downsizing and outsourcing continue as the "push for partnerships" persists in the administration of federal recreation lands. Despite this reliance on partnerships to meet targets, little is known about the nature of the interactions between Forest Service personnel and their partners. Twenty-one key informant interviews were conducted with Forest Service personnel and recreation partners, representing multiple regions, a range of management levels, a diversity of agency employees, and a variety of recreation work performed. Analysis revealed two main categories of interactions: institutional and relational. Key components of institutional interaction included duty, necessity, commitment, and effort; key components of relational interactions were interdependence, synergy, power, trust, connection, and communication. Better understanding of the institutional and relational interactions will help the agency develop, maintain, and evaluate recreation partnerships.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2009 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Seekamp, Erin; Cerveny, Lee K. 2010. Conceptualization of interactions between partners and the U.S. Forest Service. In: Watts, Clifton E., Jr.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2009 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-66. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 105-111.