The Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) has been through a lot since it was formed in 2011. It’s evolved from a way to integrate the work of the Southeast Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) to a fully fledged regional partnership with explicit goals, a spatial plan, and a network of people and organizations shaping the conservation future of the Southeast and U.S. Caribbean. Along the way, funding for staff positions has mostly come from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but has also come from the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) and four different federal agencies (the National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Forest Service). State wildlife agencies and universities have also provided free office space for staff.

All the recent federal changes have significantly impacted SECAS staff capacity. Over the last year, SECAS has lost 50% of its staff and has been reduced to its minimum operating level. I, and the rest of the remaining six staff members, are still highly committed to SECAS and can sustain essential functions and serve partner needs. We love what we do and love working with you on the connected network of lands and waters.

Beyond the end of this fiscal year (which ends Sept. 30th), the future of SECAS staffing is uncertain, but there is still strong regional and national support for the partnership. Of course, we’ll let you know as we learn more. Just know that, as SECAS staff, we’re working hard to keep SECAS thriving in these uncertain times.