The Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership, like all FHPs, relies heavily on partnership as the most essential part of its infrastructure. Friends chapters and groups contribute planning, ideas, materials, and volunteers to make projects happen on the ground. To develop a successful project for funding, you will find far more success when building a coalition--or a community--around the reservoir and its fish.
A wonderful example of the extreme degree to which conservation leans on partnerships and volunteer-led work is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This past year, their program engaged 4,286 partners and generated $112.7 million in value to complement $29.9 million in USACE investments. Additionally, their volunteer program remained strong, with 37,946 volunteers contributing 1.75 million hours-equivalent to 842 full-time federal employees. That's remarkable! Read more about their volunteer program here: https://www.friendsofreservoirs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/US-Army-Corps-volunteers-2024.pdf
Next, the National Park Service relies heavily on partnerships and volunteer-led work, and has some excellent advice for you. As Superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Brian O'Neill (1941-2009) and his staff earned a reputation as a model partnership park where partnerships are a way of approaching how best to accomplish the park's mission and build a community of stewardship. Recently, the park determined that 18% of the park services were being delivered by NPS staff and the other 82% by a host of park partners. These figures underscore the breadth and value of park partnerships. Some of Brian's lessons include:
- Adopt a shared vision
- Ensure your partnership is owned by your whole organization
- Leave your ego and control at the door
Read the 21 Partnership Success Factors from Brian O'Neill now for some great advice: https://www.friendsofreservoirs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21-Partnership-Success-Factors-Brian-ONeill_2025.pdf