Peer Exchange

The Network’s Peer Exchange Program is an in-depth and deliberate effort to connect landscape conservation leaders in specific regions of the country for results-oriented information exchange on successes, challenges, best practices, and emerging innovations. This formal peer exchange component is intended to supplement the Network’s ongoing daily work to create connections and exchange amongst landscape conservation practitioners.

The Peer Exchange Program is currently in a pilot phase. The objectives of the pilot phase are to explore best practices for peer exchange through a review of existing literature and by partnering with landscape conservation leaders in regions that are launching their own, regional peer exchange programs. By working alongside homegrown efforts in California, the Northern Rockies, and New England, NLC will gain valuable insight into what works, what doesn’t, and in turn, learn about how/where NLC can add the most value to landscape conservation leaders through peer exchange efforts.

The Network is currently engaged in peer exchange work with three regional partners:

California Landscape Stewardship Network

The California Landscape Stewardship Network was formed in late 2016 to facilitate exchange, share tools, build relationships, meet discrete collective priorities, and promote innovation among six collaborative, landscape conservation efforts.

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Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GNLCC)

The GNLCC is designing a peer exchange workshop to connect practitioners within and across 10 large landscapes within the geographic footprint of the GNLCC. A key focus of the workshop will be on sharing best practices and lessons learned for achieving meaningful collaboration and how to sustain meaningful, value-added activities over time. An associated objective is to foster development of a broader and deeper network of landscape conservation practitioners who work collaboratively and at multiple landscape scales.

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Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) Network

The RCP Network is initiating a program that matches mentors and mentees to share knowledge and experience among RCPs and to accelerate the pace of progress among new and emerging RCPs by bringing them insights and best practices from more mature efforts.

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Why a Peer Exchange Program?

A Peer Exchange Program can uncover important, nuanced insights and experiences that are often overlooked when exploring the broader contours of the field. By connecting leaders who share a deep understanding of common challenges and experiences, leaders are able to focus on the practical, relevant issues that facilitate or impede success – from understanding the role of science and designing an effective collaborative process to integrating innovative tools and securing adequate funding.

 

The Role of the Network for Landscape Conservation

During the pilot phase, the NLC will listen to leaders from each regional exchange program, learn about what is needed, and then provide input, advice, and assistance to match each region’s needs and interests. Importantly, the lessons learned through these pilot efforts will be shared beyond the identified regions with the broader community of landscape conservation practitioners.

 

NLC Menu of Services

Potential services could include but are not limited to a combination of any of the following, up to 75 hours of NLC staff time in each region:

  • A needs assessment to examine and clarify leadership needs, challenges, and opportunities;
  • Organization, planning, and facilitation services to help design and deliver an in-person peer exchange workshop;
  • Identification of tools, resources, and best practices around key needs or themes;
  • Identification of best practices/lessons from comparable efforts;
  • Identification of and access to people and organizations with relevant experience and expertise;
  • Identification of regional funders or partners who may be interested in providing organizational/financial capacity or other resources to support the pilot peer exchange effort. This could include joining a landscape conservation initiative in approaching a regional funder for support and/or providing a summary of the in-kind resources provided by the NLC.