Authors: Sentinel Landscapes Partnership

Authorized by 10 U.S. Code §2693, the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership is a coalition of Federal agencies, state and local governments, and private organizations that work with willing landowners and land managers to advance mutually beneficial land-use goals that support military readiness in sentinel landscapes.  Today, the partnership spans 19 designated landscapes across 17 states and one insular territory (Figure 1), encompassing more than 60 military installations and ranges (Figure 2).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) established the partnership in 2013.  The partnership’s shared strategic goals are to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural and forestry economies, increase public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance landscape resilience.  Sentinel landscapes directly support farmers, ranchers, and forest managers by sustaining rural economies and promoting voluntary land stewardship practices.

The DOD requires undeveloped natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, deserts, and coasts to conduct realistic live fire training, weapons system testing, and essential operations.   These landscapes are crucial for preparing a more lethal and resilient force for combat.

However, increased commercial and residential development around military installations and ranges can lead to light pollution, noise, and airspace restrictions.  These encroachment concerns impede testing and training while also reducing the landscape’s resilience to weather-related risks like drought and wildfires.  This poses further threats to military personnel, warfighting equipment, and physical and natural infrastructure.

Sentinel landscapes support compatible land use around military installations and ranges, ensuring alignment with military testing and training needs.  Through developing local partnerships within sentinel landscapes, DOD maintains mission requirements and advances projects while using fewer Federal resources.

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Sentinel Landscapes

Conserving land and natural resources, while protecting military training and testing spaces