Army Corps of Engineers launches natural resources foundation

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As any good manager will tell you, you need the right tools to get the job done. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Natural Resources Management Community of Practice just added another tool to their toolbox that will significantly enhance their partnership capabilities. The tool is called the Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Education Foundation (CNREF).

LTG Robert Van Antwerp, Chief of Engineers, and Peter B. Lewis , President, Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Education Foundation (CNREF) Board of Directors, signed a Memorandum of Understanding marking the beginning of this landmark partnership during the Environmental and Natural Resources Conference in San Antonio , Texas , Oct. 30.

CNREF breaks new ground as the only national non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to stewardship of environmental, cultural, educational and outdoor recreational resources associated with the Corps' national Natural Resources Management mission. The foundation will bring potential partners together with the Corps to support approved but unfunded natural resources projects. The foundation's specific goals include:

• providing additional financial and volunteer support for Corps recreation and natural resources projects;
• assisting local and regional Corps of Engineers advocacy groups in raising funds for enhancement projects;
• facilitating partnerships between the public and private sectors and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
• educating decision-makers and the public about the importance of the Corps' stewardship mission in conserving natural and cultural resources and providing public recreation opportunities.

Once the foundation receives info rmation from Corps projects, it will determine whether there are activities that meet its supporting criteria of emphasizing long-term community engagement with the Corps, volunteerism, education and interpretive services and environmental stewardship. Activities the foundation decides to support must have the necessary environmental clearances, planning documentation and partners already engaged or identified.

CNREF will also support the Corps through individual and corporate memberships open to everyone, including current Corps employees and Corps alumni. Through CNREF, Corps officials envision benefits to project sites that include improvements to hiking trails, development of interpretive brochures, campground rehabilitations, development of teacher education materials, habitat restoration and protection of cultural sites. The foundation will also promote the Corps' recreation values of providing high quality, family oriented recreational opportunities close to home, healthy lifestyle, and conservation and sustainment of natural resources for future generations.

"The Corps is extremely proud to enter into this innovative partnership with CNREF," said Mary Coulombe, Chief of Natural Resources Management. This foundation will allow the Corps to work on many different environmental and recreation projects, improving visitor experiences and environmental conditions. Our financial and human resources are limited, visitor demands are increasing, and our facilities are aging. This partnership will be vital to provide additional support for the Corps Natural Resources Management mission, and facilitate additional partnerships between the public and private sector."