The RVCC prides itself on being an inclusive movement that seeks common ground between diverse interests. The coalition is currently comprised of more than 80 nonprofit, public, and private organizations. Our partners include rural community advocates, regional and national conservation organizations, environmentalists, business owners, federal and state land managers, researchers, county and stat
e government, and foundations. The RVCC is led by the Leadership Team, a group of organizations and individuals invested in the Coalition’s long-term success. Sustainable Northwest developed the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition in 2000, and organized its efforts for 10 years, distributing information on policy developments, raising funds, and supporting the participation of our members. As of 2015, Wallowa Resources has assumed sponsorship of RVCC, employing a part-time coordinator and a part-time program assistant. RVCC promotes practical, equitable and sustainable solutions that are grounded in the experiences of rural community members, workers, and businesses. Our approach is to strengthen and empower the voices of rural leaders on issues such as collaborative all-lands stewardship, renewable energy, climate change, and local workforce development. By bringing rural leaders together to share their work, we serve as a vital peer learning and capacity building network that accelerates the practice of land stewardship and aligned economic development. We have worked together to successfully make a difference on many of the issues that affect rural communities, public and private land management, and the continuation of a natural resource-based economy in the West. We have been leaders in supporting policy and legislation including stewardship contracting, the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, and the Community Wood Energy Program, among others, advocating for the inclusion of comprehensive community interests.
