Dale Bosworth discusses the importance of the Toolbox to the Forest Service mission. Windows Media

In 2003, I shared an important message about the value of partnerships and the need for resources like the Toolbox for the Great Outdoors. While I'm pleased that strides were made, the need for adding resources to federal lands recreation efforts is more acute in 2006 than even three years ago. Fortunately, sources for supplemental funding and other support are more numerous and larger than ever. The passage of a 10-year recreation fee authority in December 2004 and the August 2005 passage of SAFETEA-LU alone create opportunities for several hundred million additional dollars to be available every year. We must be poised to take advantage of these opportunities. I know many of you leverage dollars and forge mutually beneficial partnerships every day and I am proud of the work you do. We must continue to expand our capacity to deliver our mission through partnerships, volunteers and collaboration. This web based version of the Toolbox will serve as a useful and invaluable resource to help grow our partnerships and deliver better results on the ground. I encourage you to explore the many funding opportunities, case studies and contacts on this website, and share your successes agency wide so we can all learn and grow together.