Collaborative Solutions

Supporting shared solutions to today's most complex environmental and natural resources challenges

Natural resource issues are complex—economically, socially, institutionally, politically, and ecologically—and managing natural resources responsibly for the future is becoming increasingly difficult. Conflicts arise over such issues as endangered species protection, forest management, energy production, water allocation, and rural development. People with a stake in these issues must build on common interests to create new solutions.

Our collaborative solutions work brings people together to build lasting, informed, inclusive solutions to our most complex and controversial natural resource challenges. We support natural resource decision making through collaborative leadership training, stakeholder engagement, and helping to build collaborative capacity throughout Wyoming and across the West.

Collaboration Program in Natural Resources

The Collaboration Program in Natural Resources (CPNR) provides professional training for a cohort of mid- and upper-level natural resource decision makers and engaged citizens. In six rigorous sessions, participants will gain skills and knowledge to apply collaborative processes to complex environment and natural resource challenges to build lasting, supported solutions. We accept 12 to 16 participants into the program each year. The application deadline for the next cohort is May 30, 2021.

Process Facilitation and Stakeholder Engagement

We provide neutral, third-party facilitation and mediation services to help communities resolve natural resource challenges. Our collaborative decision-making experts bring decades of experience to guide stakeholders through processes to build inclusive, lasting solutions.

Learn more about our collaborative solutions work in our brochure, or review our recent and ongoing projects.

Recent and Ongoing Projects

	Wyoming Renewable Energy Siting Collaborative Lead facilitator: Steve Smutko The Ruckelshaus Institute convened a collaborative process to generate policy recommendations for renewable energy siting and permitting in Wyoming. The group met nine times between December 2020 and July 2021. In fall 2021, the group released ten recommendations directed at state leadership. View the project website.
	Pole Mountain Gateways Lead facilitator: Nicole Gautier The Ruckelshaus Institute is working with the Laramie Ranger District of the USDA Forest Service to facilitate a public planning process for non-motorized recreation on the Pole Mountain unit of the Medicine Bow Mountain National Forest. Due to COVID-19 all previously-scheduled meetings have been postponed. View the project website.
	WGFD Chronic Wasting Disease Working Group Lead facilitator: Jessica Western The Ruckelshaus Institute assisted the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to facilitate a public process focused on updating and revising the state’s chronic wasting disease management plan. View the project website and the final report describing the collaborative process.
	Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Collaborative Lead facilitator: Jessica Western The Ruckelshaus Institute, in partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, and the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, convened a public engagement process to explore management concerns, issues, and opportunities for the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Herd in central Wyoming. View the project website.
	Teton Range Bighorn Sheep and Recreation Collaborative Lead facilitator: Jessica Western The Ruckelshaus Institute is facilitating a collaborative learning process spearheaded by the Teton Range Bighorn Sheep and Recreation Working Group to explore ways to balance the winter habitat needs of Teton Range bighorn sheep and backcountry winter recreation in the Tetons. View the project website.
	Dubois DRIVE Outdoor Recreation Collaborative Lead facilitator: Deb Kleinman Through a grant from the UW Insitute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Ruckelshaus Institute is partnering with the Dubois Regional Initiative for a Vital Economy, or Dubois DRIVE, to organize and facilitate an Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development Collaborative in Dubois, WY.
	Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative Lead facilitator: Deb Kleinman The Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (or WRORC) is a partnership between the Ruckelshaus Institute, Wyoming State Parks, Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, and local partners. The goal of the WRORC is to develop and promote outdoor recreation opportunities in and around Fremont County, and provide a plan to enhance Fremont County’s outdoor recreation assets and opportunities and quality of life for residents and visitors.