The agreement involves the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service — both under the U.S. Department of Agriculture — and North Carolina’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Forest Service and Wildlife Resources Commission.  

“Shared Stewardship offers a great opportunity to coordinate and prioritize land management activities in tandem,” said USDA Under Secretary Jim Hubbard. “The USDA and its agencies have a long and strong history of collaboration with the State of North Carolina. This agreement will make that working relationship even stronger.”

The Shared Stewardship Agreement establishes a framework for federal and state agencies to collaborate better, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, further common interests, and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns in North Carolina. The agreement also outlines the importance of ensuring meaningful participation from state and local partners such as North Carolina’s State Parks, Natural Heritage Program, Department of Transportation, Conservation Districts, and non-governmental conservation organizations.

The agreement is online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/sharedstewardship.