Bridging Communities and Landscapes: Welcoming Southwest Decision Resources

We’re thrilled to welcome Southwest Decision Resources (SDR) to the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation! Based in Arizona, SDR brings deep experience in natural resource collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and community-based decision-making across the Southwest. Their tailored, inclusive approach strengthens cross-sector partnerships and fosters durable solutions on issues ranging from forest management to climate adaptation. Read more in the blog post below.

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​We're excited to welcome Southwest Decision Resources (SDR) as our newest member of the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation. Based in Arizona and working across the Southwest, SDR brings specialized expertise in natural resource collaboration and community engagement to our growing network.

About Southwest Decision Resources

​SDR is a dynamic team of facilitation and collaboration professionals committed to more informed decision-making on natural resource, community, and public policy issues. Their mission centers on helping partners navigate complex challenges through engagement and clear collaborative processes, ultimately achieving higher quality, more broadly supported, and enduring solutions.

Their Collaborative Approach

What sets SDR apart is their comprehensive methodology that goes beyond traditional meeting facilitation. Their approach includes:

• Stakeholder Assessment: Identifying shared interests, potential challenges, and collaboration opportunities
• Customized Process Design: Tailoring collaborative approaches to specific situations and communities
• Partnership Building: Creating effective connections across communities, governments, and NGOs
• Capacity Building: Providing mentorship, training, and coaching to develop collaborative leaders

Areas of Expertise

SDR's work spans diverse landscapes and communities, with core expertise in:

• Forest and Watershed Management: Supporting groups across jurisdictions to ensure continuity of efforts and strengthen stakeholder relationships
• Collaborative Conservation: Addressing the nexus of conservation, preservation, and development through stakeholder engagement
• Outdoor Recreation Planning: Working with communities and governments to develop regional recreation plans and foster ongoing collaborative efforts
• Climate Adaptation Planning: Helping partners navigate intersections of land use, environmental resources, community values, and public health
• Strategic Planning and Governance: Providing planning support for organizations and place-based collaboratives

Notable Projects and Networks

SDR has facilitated numerous successful collaborations, including the Verde Front Sustainable Recreation Collaborative, Lower San Pedro Collaborative, and Arizona Cross-Watershed Network. They've also supported major initiatives like the Four Forest Restoration Initiative and various National Forest planning processes.
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We had the pleasure of hearing from SDR's Tawnee during our May webinar, where she shared insights from their extensive experience in natural resource collaboration.

Why This Partnership Matters

As environmental challenges continue to intensify, the need for effective collaboration in natural resource management becomes increasingly critical. SDR's specialized expertise in this sector, combined with their commitment to building lasting partnerships and solutions, aligns perfectly with NCDD's mission to advance the field of dialogue and deliberation.
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Welcome to the NCDD community, Southwest Decision Resources! We look forward to learning from your innovative approaches to collaborative conservation and community engagement.

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Learn more about Southwest Decision Resources at www.swdresources.com or contact them at [email protected]