CASE STUDIES: Public Engagement
"Rebecca's ability to design process, engage people, align toward a grand vision, and then make it all happen is simply unparalleled." - New Mexico State Forestry

New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division
New Mexico’s Governor called for a statewide plan to address forest health and placed the responsibility for convening the planning process with the State Forester.
For the development of the Forest and Watershed Health Plan, RRC designed and implemented the public input processes, which included a Summit attended by more than 250 stakeholders, followed by town hall meetings in four locations throughout the state. RRC conceived of the Summit forum to address several challenges: the need to develop a greater level of awareness and understanding of the Plan and its unique approach, the desire to convene high level policy representatives on this important statewide issue, and the lack of funds for the originally-conceived 10-site town hall schedule. The Summit design included plenary sessions complemented by breakout group work and a poster session for networking and information exchange, and included participants from all over NM as well as from regional and national leadership. RRC designed the town hall meetings in an open-house format to promote interaction among stakeholders and to focus participants and their comments on the elements of the Draft Plan under review.
RRC facilitated the Summit, compiled the report of proceedings and prepared all comments for web access. RRC also conceived a fully web-automated process for the submittal of public comment (well in advance of Google Docs). Click here to visit the website for the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Health Plan, or download the report directly here.
New Mexico’s Governor called for a statewide plan to address forest health and placed the responsibility for convening the planning process with the State Forester.
For the development of the Forest and Watershed Health Plan, RRC designed and implemented the public input processes, which included a Summit attended by more than 250 stakeholders, followed by town hall meetings in four locations throughout the state. RRC conceived of the Summit forum to address several challenges: the need to develop a greater level of awareness and understanding of the Plan and its unique approach, the desire to convene high level policy representatives on this important statewide issue, and the lack of funds for the originally-conceived 10-site town hall schedule. The Summit design included plenary sessions complemented by breakout group work and a poster session for networking and information exchange, and included participants from all over NM as well as from regional and national leadership. RRC designed the town hall meetings in an open-house format to promote interaction among stakeholders and to focus participants and their comments on the elements of the Draft Plan under review.
RRC facilitated the Summit, compiled the report of proceedings and prepared all comments for web access. RRC also conceived a fully web-automated process for the submittal of public comment (well in advance of Google Docs). Click here to visit the website for the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Health Plan, or download the report directly here.
The Western Counties Partnership on Restoration (CPR) Summit
Three partners in New Mexico: Otero County, the Lincoln National Forest and New Mexico State Forestry, conceived of the Summit, envisioning it as a platform from which to address implementation and funding of forest and watershed health restoration in the West.
RRC was hired to develop an event that would engage diverse stakeholders, providing forums for learning, for sharing views, and for giving input. RRC also provided facilitation of the plenary sessions, oversaw the work session facilitation, managed all aspects of the event including 30 speakers, featuring the USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, and three field trips, and authored the Report of Proceedings.
Three hundred participants from 11 states and the District of Columbia attended the Summit, representing federal, state, tribal and local governments, public interest groups, academics and private landowners. The Summit provided a unique opportunity for policy makers, technical experts and practitioners to gather and learn from one another. The Summit resulted in a document of proceedings that includes ten major findings with recommendations for implementation that was presented to the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary. Download the Western Counties Partnership on Restoration (CPR) Summit Record of Proceedings report directly here.
Three partners in New Mexico: Otero County, the Lincoln National Forest and New Mexico State Forestry, conceived of the Summit, envisioning it as a platform from which to address implementation and funding of forest and watershed health restoration in the West.
RRC was hired to develop an event that would engage diverse stakeholders, providing forums for learning, for sharing views, and for giving input. RRC also provided facilitation of the plenary sessions, oversaw the work session facilitation, managed all aspects of the event including 30 speakers, featuring the USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, and three field trips, and authored the Report of Proceedings.
Three hundred participants from 11 states and the District of Columbia attended the Summit, representing federal, state, tribal and local governments, public interest groups, academics and private landowners. The Summit provided a unique opportunity for policy makers, technical experts and practitioners to gather and learn from one another. The Summit resulted in a document of proceedings that includes ten major findings with recommendations for implementation that was presented to the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary. Download the Western Counties Partnership on Restoration (CPR) Summit Record of Proceedings report directly here.