The Four Corners Sustainable Forests Partnership is a story of how one region built capacity to address wildfires, jobs, and forest health. The Partnership, created in 1997, highlighted the linkages between healthy forest ecosystems and healthy communities. It received funding from 1999-2003 by special Congressional request through the USDA, Forest Service Economic Action Programs.

The Partnership created lasting momentum in several key areas:

• Consensus around forest restoration principles and needs

• Community infrastructure to utilize small diameter material

• Region-wide network of interests and specialists working on sustainable forestry