SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV (August 16, 2006) — In the next 10 years, nearly one-third of today’s top natural resource leaders will retire, but the nation’s leading conservation organizations are not waiting around to find out what happens when they leave. Thirty-six of the nation’s natural resource conservation “future leaders” were recently selected for fellowships with the National Conservation Leadership Institute. The Institute is an effort initiated this year by conservation agencies and organizations to address one of the nation’s most significant conservation challenges of the twenty-first century — leadership.

According to research conducted in 2004, about 77 percent of state fish and wildlife agency senior leadership will retire between 2004 and 2015, and more than half of federal conservation leaders will retire by 2007.

“To be chosen among a nation of conservation professionals to take part in the inaugural class of the Institute is a great honor,” says Fellow, Doug Austen, Director of the Pennsylvania Boat and Fish Commission. “The Institute is tackling a very important topic head on—the fact that many of conservation’s current leaders are about to retire, and the legacy they leave behind will need to continue.”

The National Conservation Leadership Institute was created to train tomorrow’s conservation leaders in the latest leadership thinking and practice, and each Fellow will focus on a variety of issues, including a specific leadership challenge from each participant’s own agency or organization. Through the Institute, 22 state fish and wildlife employees, 6 federal conservation agency employees, 2 tribal members, three industry employees and three nongovernmental agency employees will work together over the next 10 months on priority leadership challenges and solutions.

Offered each year to a select group of thirty-five to fifty individuals identified by their nominating organizations, the Institute is designed as conservation’s premier leadership development effort. The Institute is by no measure only a training program; it is a unique comprehensive learning experience designed to challenge assumptions, teach new skills, facilitate networking, and strengthen confidence, preparing extraordinary leadership for the future. Each fellow was chosen for potential to build effective coalitions, lead organizational change, and deliver results; as well as for their work experience and goals.

“More than 60 natural resource organizations nominated employees to participate in this groundbreaking leadership experience,” says John Baughman, Chairman of the Institute board. “The 36 fellows selected represent a diverse mix of people and perspectives from across the country and across organizational boundaries. We believe that the Institute will yield powerful results.”

"With the impending retirement of droves of federal and state agency personnel, our discipline is facing a shortage of experienced leaders at a time when our challenges may be the greatest. This program will help fill that gap," says Bob Brown, President of The Wildlife Society.

The Institute is supported by many of the nation’s most passionate conservation interests including: The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, The Weatherby Foundation, International Paper, Boone and Crockett, Pope and Young Club, Peabody Power, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the National Conservation Training Center, Bass Pro Shops, John Baughman, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Campfire Club, and the America’s Wildlife Association for Resource Education.

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The National Conservation Leadership Institute is a non-profit, multi-organizational effort with the single purpose of providing a world class experience for developing extraordinary leaders in natural resource conservation. For information visit www.conservationleadership.org.