The North Carolina Sentinel Landscapes Partnership was able to bring together a diverse group of partners that are working together to address land-compatibility issues in eastern North Carolina. The partners understood that in order to effectively address the issues and develop sustainable solutions that achieve mutual gain a project-based approach would not be enough. A partnership building strategy began in 2012, facilitated by extension specialists at North Carolina State University, to institutionalize the partnership through the development of a strategic plan, evaluation plan and communications plan. While these documents are specific to the efforts in North Carolina, the partners believe that it provides a model for future Sentinel Landscapes efforts.