What is an Interpretive Association?
Interpretive associations enhance visitor experiences to public lands, and support interpretive and educational efforts of federal land management agencies. They are private, non-profit organizations established under state law, and follow applicable laws governing federal tax-exempt 501(3)(c) organizations. Federal land management agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service), Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service have entered into agreements with non-profit interpretive or cooperating associations for more than 40 years.
While federal land management agencies have partnerships with a variety of organizations, businesses, and user groups, their relationships with interpretive associations are special. Within the Forest Service, this unique relationship is established by policy that allows interpretive associations to do things that other partners cannot, including:
- operating sales outlets and utilizing office space within agency facilities;
- utilizing agency employees to conduct interpretive association business on an incidental basis; and
- purchasing agency maps at a discount for resale.
The relationship is synergistic, providing mutual benefits and serving visitors to the National Forests.
Currently, there are about 60 interpretive associations operating under Participating Agreements to serve National Forests. Some of these associations are large, operate in several Regions, and may serve other federal or state agencies. Other associations are small and operate locally within a single National Forest. Nationally, interpretive associations donate about $5,000,000 back to the National Forests each year to support the agency’s interpretive and educational programs. In addition, their in-kind contributions and ability to strengthen and support agencies’ relationships with local communities are invaluable.
