The idea of developing conservation leaders in a world-class forum is an exciting, ground-breaking concept for the natural resource profession. Several years coming to fruition, everything culminated in 2005. A board was formed and the Management Assistance Team of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies was asked to work on the project.

Because of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, conservation leadership in the future will be widely regarded as one of America’s greatest strengths. From the smallest government agency to the largest conservation federation, there will be a shared confidence that our legacy is safeguarded by extraordinary leaders with a conservation mission.

The NCLI Board is drawn from the nation’s premier conservation organizations who recognize that conservation’s future rests in the hands of tomorrow’s leaders. The National Conservation Leadership Institute was conceived to develop a corps of trained leaders ready to address issues that will face the conservation community long into the future.

Following is a list of the NCLI Fellows from cohort 2. Read below for the Fellow's names and organizational affiliations. 

2006-07 Fellows

Following is a list of the NCLI Fellows from cohort 1. Read below for the Fellow's names and organizational affiliations. 

The National Conservation Leadership Institute does not discriminate according to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.

William Q. Thompson (Cohort 1)
Penobscot Nation
Air Quality Manager

“Sometimes you do not understand the full importance of an opportunity until you have opened the door and let it in. This program introduced me to new avenues for exploration in my field, to powerful individuals who exhibited trailblazing leadership, and to like-minded people who have become allies, friends, and a source of continuing collaboration. This is one of those rare opportunities you are mighty glad you had the sense to shake hands with in the first place."

John Baughman, Executive Vice President (Retired) of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, says, “If you look back at the truly great conservation success stories in North America, the only common element is exceptional leadership.”

Jack Ward Thomas, Chief Emeritus, USFS, Emeritus Boone and Crockett Professor of Conservation, University of Montana, says, “The National Conservation Leadership Institute is a critically needed next step in assuring that our nation has the ‘leadership horsepower’ to carry the conservation effort into the new century.  When the best and brightest in the conservation arena combine their talents in this evolving mix of faculty and students, I expect the result to be the best leadership in conservation that our nation has yet experienced. The circumstances of the early 21st century demand no less.”