The NCLI is coordinated and developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Management Assistance Team (MAT). MAT is a consulting service for state fish and wildlife agencies. Currently, MAT is focused on leadership development issues to address the high rate of leadership turnover in fish and wildlife agencies, and through the NCLI, conservation organizations as a whole. 

MAT provides organization development consulting and training services to all fifty state fish and wildlife agencies across the country. A part of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, MAT is funded through the Sportfish & Wildlife Restoration Program Multi-State Conservation Grant. Established in 1984, MAT provides expertise in organization development, comprehensive management systems, agency effectiveness reviews, diversity management,  marketing, and leadership development. In 2005 the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Leadership and Professional Development Committee reprioritized MAT to address issues of leadership turnover facing state fish and wildlife agencies. We are currently focused on creating an extensive leadership development framework including training tools and revised consulting services for our client agencies. Additionally, MAT is the primary staff for the National Conservation Leadership Institute. Because MAT services are on a type of national in-house retainer there is no charge for MAT staff time, travel, or per diem when MAT assists a state fish and wildlife agency.