FDRD, a model “friends” group for USFS nationwide

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) has flourished in Summit County thanks to the support we’ve received through the community over the past 15+ years. Through local financial contributions and consistent volunteerism, FDRD programming, staffing and outreach has grown exponentially. The educational programs and in-field projects are as numerous and diverse as they’ve ever been.

Because of the success we’ve shared with the people of Summit County, CO, we’ve been contacted by other US Forest Service districts around the nation trying to better understand the FDRD operations and procedures. Word has spread through the agency that FDRD has created a successful model for implementing and fostering “Friends” groups to engage local volunteerism. The correspondence we’ve received illustrates the uniqueness of this organization and the impact that it has had on our community. The nature of the requests is as diverse as the areas of the country from which they have been received. FDRD has been able to utilize our years of experience in a variety of facets. Districts in Lake Tahoe, CA and Leadville, CO have reached out regarding the startup of the Ski with a Ranger program. And we’re proud to say that, due to these efforts, hundreds more visitors to the National Forest are being educated—while on skis.

We’ve presented to the Medicine Bow/Routt Forest in Wyoming to strategize local partnerships and address the challenges of engaging different user groups. Dozens of entities attended the presentation to learn more about how our relationship with the USFS, as well as the community, has evolved over the years. Further consultation has occurred with Districts in California, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon. USFS representatives were interested in enquiring about how a “Friends” group begins and sustains success over time. Countless meetings have occurred to help address these issues and share our knowledge of partnerships. We continue to work with USFS Volunteer Service Specialists in Virginia, Kentucky and Puerto Rico to add to their Nonprofit Empowerment network. They are hoping to expand their reach in their respective communities by working more closely with budding volunteer groups and we’re delighted to be able to help with this endeavor. We’ve also consulted with some international organizations in Ecuador and Central America on the establishment and sustainability of local volunteer groups.

FDRD is proud of what we have been able to accomplish here locally in Summit County and we’re excited to pass along what we’ve learned to help other volunteer entities gain traction in starting new groups to help sustain public lands nationwide. We look forward to disseminating the knowledge we have acquired over the past decade of running a locally supported, environmentally based non-profit. By supporting our mission here at FDRD, you’re also believing in the model that we have formulated with years of experience. It is our hope that we can continue to encourage other local entities to work with their respective US Forest Service Ranger Districts to foster the care of the National Forest and all that reside in and around it.