Western Community Stewardship Forum

A partnership of the Sonoran Institute and the National Association of Counties, the Western Community Stewardship Forum (WCSF) offers training and support to assist rural county officials and leaders effectively manage growth through innovative, community-based land-use decisions and solutions

Through a competitive application process, WCSF selects team of up to six county officials and community leaders responsible for local growth-management strategies to attend an intensive, three-day training workshop. More than 300 officials from counties in eight states have participated in WCSF. Many have successfully used this training and assistance to make positive changes in their local communities.

The training focuses on local economic aspirations and conservation of natural assets by:

• presenting sound information about innovative solutions to community land-use issues;
• promoting effective growth management that balances environmental, economic and community concerns through community-based land-use decisions; and
• fostering collaboration on growth issues.

WCSF training is structured around the Institute’s, “The Planning for Results Guidebook: Practical Advice for Building Successful Rural Communities . To order a printed copy, call 520-290-0828.