The Natural Resources Coalition

The Natural Resources Coalition
MSU Extension and Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station

Overview

What is the Natural Resources Coalition?

The Natural Resources Coalition is a coordinating body of representatives from MSU departments, centers and institutes, colleges and university programs that share a commitment to critical natural resource management issues. The coalition is a decision-making group that allocates resources and sets goals, priorities and action plans for research and outreach/extension. They also have primary responsibility for developing natural resources program and funding initiatives.

Why form a coalition?

Part of the way MSU is doing business now is through the formation of multidisciplinary coalitions to address increasingly complex issues in several areas. The Animal Industry Coalition and Plant Coalition are effectively implementing collaborative programs and have gained substantial new resources through legislative initiatives. The Coalition for Children, Youth, Families and Communities is providing excellent networking opportunities.

The Natural Resources Coalition will set its own agenda, structure, goals and activities. Because of this freedom, the group may work very differently than other coalitions.

Is a coalition the same as an initiative?

One of the coalition's activities will be the development of natural resources initiatives. Whereas the coalition is the coordinating body of representatives, initiatives are focused efforts designed to target critical natural resources areas for enhanced research and outreach, and/or new funding streams. There may be many goals of natural resources initiatives. A sample includes:

Expand partnerships with key state natural resources agencies (DNR, DEQ, MDA) to develop research, extension/outreach and professional training programs in resource management, value-added production, land use and emerging issues.

Expand areas of scholarship and develop cutting

edge research capacity in emerging natural resource management issues.

Expand capacity to address Great Lakes issues and regional concerns.

Improve and facilitate links between those with common interests and related projects.

Will the coalition develop a legislative initiative like the Animal Industry Initiative or GREEEN?

One of the coalition's key tasks will be to develop strategies for obtaining additional funding streams. Those strategies may be somewhat similar or very different from previous efforts. The partnerships and funding opportunities that emerge may be as complex and varied as many of the natural resource issues facing us today.

Who are coalition members?

The Natural Resources Coalition is in the formative stage and will have its first meeting in early Spring 1999. Initial members include chairs and directors from key MSU natural resources departments,institutes and centers, a regional director and a representative from both the MAES and MSUE Directors' offices. As the coalition develops, members from other MSU units and agency and organizational partners will be added.

To add your perspectives or receive additional information about the Natural Resources Coalition contact:

Gale Arent
Associate Director and Assistant Vice-Provost
MSU Extension
108 Agriculture Hall
517-355-2308
arent@msue.msu.edu

Janet Bokemeier
Professor and Assistant Director
Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station
517-355-0123
bokemeie@pilot.msu.edu

12/4/98