"A Southern Approach to Regional Fish Habitat Conservation: Four Examples of Building New Relationships and Engaging Partners"

The Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) is a regional Fish Habitat Partnership working to implement the National Fish Habitat Action Plan to protect and conserve aquatic resources and habitats in the southeastern U.S. SARP helps fund and facilitate on-the-ground and in-the-water habitat conservation projects and resource assessments through various programs.  This presentation will discuss aspects of that work through the NOAA Community based Habitat Restoration Partnership, a Southeast Native Black Bass Initiative, working with local communities through Quality Growth Workshops with the Southeast Watershed Forum and EPA, and the Southern Instream Flow Network.   Each of these programs and projects is unique and brings together scientists, managers, and various stakeholders to take local action that contributes to regional objectives and national conservation goals.  The challenges and success of the past, lessons learned, and outlook for future actions will be discussed.