Common use of STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS Clause in Contracts

STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. This mission includes addressing all aspects of wildland fire management and working through State Foresters to accomplish this mission on State and private lands. The mission of Sierra Forest Legacy is to engage citizens, communities, and coalition members in the healthy management of Sierra Nevada forest ecosystems to protect and restore the region's unparalleled beauty and natural values. We apply the best practices of science, advocacy and grassroots organizing to safeguard forest lands throughout the Sierra Nevada. Sierra Forest Legacy is a coalition of over 80 conservation organizations dedicated to science-based ecological restoration and the use of fire as a primary process for building lasting forest resilience. The mission of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California. CAL FIRE manages several programs aimed to enhance forest resources and recognizes prescribed fire as a useful tool in enhancing ecosystem processes. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy initiates, encourages, and supports efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the citizens of California. The SNC strongly supports the increased use of prescribed and managed fire, under appropriate conditions, as critical tools in restoring the ecological health of our forests and watersheds. The use of fire as a restoration tool will greatly assist in protecting water supplies and quality, preserving important habitat and providing for stable long-term storage of carbon. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. The Wilderness Society's mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We contribute to better protection, stewardship and restoration of our public lands, preserving our rich natural legacy for current and future generations. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. We envision a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the Earth, to practice and promote responsible uses of the Earth’s ecosystems and resources, to educate and enlist humanity in the protection and restoration of the quality of the natural and human environment, and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. We do so though science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive. The mission of the Northern California Prescribed Fire Council is to serve as a venue for practitioners, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, tribes, coalitions and interested individuals to work collaboratively to promote, protect, and expand the responsible use of prescribed fire in Northern California’s fire adapted landscapes. The Southern Sierra Nevada Prescribed Fire Council mission is to serve as a venue for practitioners, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, tribes, non- governmental organizations, coalitions, and interested individuals to work collaboratively to promote, protect, conserve, and expand the responsible use of prescribed fire and cultural fire in the southern Sierra Nevada’s fire-adapted landscapes and fire-dependent landscapes, and to promote public understanding and acceptance on the ecological and cultural importance of burning. The MOU Partners join in their shared knowledge, experience, networks and vision for ecological resilience and sustainable, diverse forests in California, recognizing the ecological role of fire in these ecosystems in relation to each of the MOU partner’s missions. Furthermore, the MOU Partners acknowledge that expanding collaboration associated with the expressed purpose of this MOU to include other organizations and groups is in the interest of all of the partners. In consideration of the above premises, the parties agree as follows:

STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS. The mission of the U.S. U. S Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. This mission includes addressing all aspects of wildland fire management and working through State Foresters to accomplish this mission on State and private lands. The mission of Sierra Forest Legacy is to engage citizens, communities, and coalition members in the healthy management of Sierra Nevada forest ecosystems to protect and restore the region's unparalleled beauty and natural values. We apply the best practices of science, advocacy and grassroots organizing to safeguard forest lands throughout the Sierra Nevada. Sierra Forest Legacy is a coalition of over 80 conservation organizations dedicated to science-based ecological restoration and the use of fire as a primary process for building lasting forest resilience. The mission of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California. CAL FIRE manages several programs aimed to enhance forest resources and recognizes prescribed fire as a useful tool in enhancing ecosystem processes. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB recognizes and supports the use of prescribed fire on the landscape as a means of restoring healthy forests and mitigating the risks, and associated air quality and health impacts, of wildfire smoke. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) initiates, encourages, and supports efforts that improve the environmental, economic economic, and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities communities, and the citizens of California. The SNC strongly supports the increased use of prescribed fire and wildfire managed firefor resource benefits, under appropriate conditions, as critical tools in restoring the ecological health of our forests and watersheds. The use of fire as a restoration tool will greatly assist in protecting water supplies and quality, preserving important habitat habitat, and providing for stable long-term storage of carbon. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. The mission of Sierra Forest Legacy is to engage citizens, communities, and coalition members in the healthy management of Sierra Nevada forest ecosystems to protect and restore the region’s unparalleled beauty and natural values. We apply the best practices of science, advocacy and grassroots organizing to safeguard forest lands throughout the Sierra Nevada. Sierra Forest Legacy is a coalition of over 80 conservation organizations dedicated to science-based ecological restoration and the use of fire as a primary process for building lasting forest resilience. The Wilderness Society's ’s mission is to protect wilderness and to inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We contribute to better protection, stewardship stewardship, and restoration of our public lands, preserving our rich natural legacy for current and future generations. The mission of The the Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. We envision Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the Earth, to practice and promote responsible uses of the Earth’s ecosystems and resources, to educate and enlist humanity in the protection and restoration of the quality of the natural and human environment, and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. We do so though science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive. The mission of the Northern California Prescribed Fire Council is to serve as a venue for practitioners, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, tribes, coalitions coalitions, and interested individuals to work collaboratively to promote, protect, and expand the responsible use of prescribed fire in Northern California’s fire adapted landscapes. The Southern Sierra Nevada Prescribed Fire Council mission is to serve as a venue for practitioners, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, tribes, non- non-governmental organizations, coalitions, and interested individuals to work collaboratively to promote, protect, conserve, and expand the responsible use of prescribed fire and cultural fire in the southern Sierra Nevada’s fire-adapted landscapes and fire-dependent landscapes, and to promote public understanding and acceptance on of the ecological and cultural importance of burning. The mission of the Pacific Forest Trust is to sustain America’s forests for their public benefits of wood, water, wildlife, and people’s well-being, in cooperation with private landowners and communities. The Audubon Canyon Ranch mission is connecting nature, people, and science in a rapidly changing world. The Pepperwood Preserve Foundation mission is to advance science-based conservation throughout our region and beyond. The Bureau of Land Management’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The mission of California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the State’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. The mission of the Center for Fire Research and Outreach and the Center for Forestry is to bring together researchers to create and disseminate knowledge concerning ecosystem processes, human interactions and value systems, and restoration and operational forestry management practice. The mission of the Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center is to protect water, wildlife, and wild places of the Northern Yosemite Region. The mission of the California Forestry Association (Cal Forests) is a statewide forestry association that consists of forest owners, forest product producers, and forestry professionals committed to sustainable forestry and responsible stewardship of our renewable natural resources through environmentally sound policies and conservation practices. The forest sector is a significant contributor to our state’s environmental and economic well-being. The mission of Southern California Edison is to manage our forest lands in a productive, natural fashion creating the highest quality wildlife habitat, clean water, abundant water, valuable forest products, safe recreation opportunities, and a fire resilient forest. The mission of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is to address the natural resource conservation on private lands. California Wildlife Foundation is committed to conserving, restoring, and maintaining habitats and corridor linkages throughout the state in order to ensure the biological diversity of species over time. The California Oaks program works to conserve and perpetuate the state’s primary old growth resource. The mission of the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District is to work to improve air quality and quality of life for El Dorado County residents. The mission of the Butte County Air Quality Management District is to protect the people and the environment of Butte County from the harmful effects of air pollution. The mission of the Placer County Air Pollution Control District is to achieve and maintain clean air standards throughout Placer County. The mission of American Rivers is to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. The mission of American Forests creates healthy and resilient forests, from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. The California Indian Water Commission (CIWC) works to protect, promote, and enhance the traditional ecological cultural knowledge and stewardship practices of the Indigenous people of California for the future generations of our tribes and all Californians. The mission of the Yuba Watershed Institute is to advocate for the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of long-term biological diversity within the Yuba River watershed. The mission of the Defenders of Wildlife is the protection of all native animals and plants in their native communities. The mission of the California Native Plant Society is to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats, and increase understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. The mission of the California Tahoe Conservancy is to lead California’s efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Fire Restoration Group mission is to integrate fire policy with science-based and socially responsible use of fire in the restoration of the fire-associated forest landscapes of California. The mission of Save the Redwoods League is to protect and restore redwood forests and connect people with their peace and beauty so these wonders of the natural world flourish. The mission of the UC Berkeley Sagehen Field Station is to xxxxxx and conduct applied and basic research on the function and operation of the natural and managed ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada, to apply this learning to resource management, then connect this knowledge to the broader public. The MOU Partners join in their shared knowledge, experience, networks networks, and vision for ecological resilience and sustainable, diverse forests in California, recognizing the ecological role of fire in these ecosystems in relation to each of the MOU partnerPartner’s missions. Furthermore, the MOU Partners acknowledge that expanding collaboration associated with the expressed purpose of this MOU to include other organizations and groups is in the interest of all of the partners. In consideration of the above premises, the parties agree as follows:.