The partnership engagement coordinator will work in the recently created MDC Relevancy Branch, led by Jessica Hoey. Increasing capacity to identify, improve, and maintain partners in the private and public sector will allow MDC to better understand the needs, interests, and concerns of their partners and develop trusting relationships with them. Through these strong partnerships MDC can co-create the programs and services that are mutually beneficial and enhance overall conservation outcomes.

MDC’s community conservation field chief will work in the Community and Private Land Conservation Branch, led by Jason Jensen, and will supervise staff working directly with communities on local conservation projects to connect people with nature; raise awareness of the community benefits provided by healthy fish, forest, and wildlife resources; and promote conservation of these resources through technical assistance. These projects will increase awareness of fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation and the benefits that people who live in urban areas get from conservation. Ultimately these projects will increase people’s value and support for conservation. Increasing capacity in MDC will help overcome the agency capacity and constituent capacity barriers that were identified in the Fish and Wildlife Relevancy Roadmap.