Recreation and Conservation: Mutual Benefits of the Partnership Model

Presented at the 2006 IMBA Summit/World Mountain Bike Conference

Speakers: Jim Hasenauer, California State University; Frances Gertsch, Parks Canada; Ed Yaeger, Parks Canada; Mark Schmidt, IMBA Canada; Jenn Dice, IMBA; Bill Marshall, British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts

Partnerships exemplify the synergy between the mountain biking movement and conservation. Since its inception, IMBA has utilized formal partnerships with land managers as a way to legitimize mountain biking and celebrate the positive aspects it brings to outdoor recreation, volunteerism and conservation. Most recently, IMBA Canada has been working jointly with Parks Canada to develop mountain biking opportunities in the Canadian national park system. Like all successful partnerships, this work will draw on the strengths of both parties to achieve common goals not possible otherwise.

Tips on Partnering for Conservation and Recreation

• Partnerships are a very attractive model for many land agencies and non-profit organizations. They identify common goals that must be accomplished together, and often include provisions for volunteer labor, allowing organization to perform many maintenance and construction tasks the agency could not otherwise afford.
• National-level partnerships help define proper mountain bike management guidelines. They open the door for local clubs to develop relationships with land managers and create their own partnership documents.
• Partnerships can help land agencies adapt to new trends. Many agencies, including Parks Canada, are looking to attract younger, urban visitors and view mountain biking as a vehicle to attract that demographic and form life-long interests in parks and conservation. Organizations like IMBA use the partnership model to help agencies achieve these goals.
• Partnerships have long been a great tool for defining mountain biking and its benefits. They have a long-term vision oriented towards the future and outline a process for clear communication and collaboration rooted in fact-based decision-making.
• IMBA looks for six features when creating a partnership agreement: deliverables and tangible trail accomplishments; clearly define roles and responsibilities; a process for communication and collaboration; an outline for how mountain bikes will be managed; guidelines for evaluation and monitoring; and the celebration of achievements.

Additional IMBA Resources:

Federal Agencies Resource Section
Eight Ways Mountain Bikers Can Help National Parks
Working With Land Managers
Sample Memorandum Of Understandings
Mountain Biking & Conservation