January 18, 2006 

Shepherdstown, WV - This groundbreaking effort is well on its way. The first class of the Institute will begin in August 2006! It promises to be one of the most exciting programs for conservation, perhaps ever! The Institute will serve as a type of programmatic third tier for leadership development in a logical next step for fish and wildlife agencies’ two-tiered leadership program developed by the Management Assistance Team (MAT).

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, MAT, and the Institute’s multi-organizational board have joined forces to create an historical opportunity for conservation to prepare its leaders through an unprecedented, inter-organizational approach featuring world-class leadership experts from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and nationally recognized leaders from diverse conservation organizations. All instruction will anchor around real case studies and examples from the “trenches” of natural resource conservation. Instructional delivery methods include electronic, face-to-face, and teams of peer consultants over one year, facilitated by a two-week residency in the fall and a final long-weekend residency in the spring.

The Institute will select 35-50 “high potential” participants from applications received. Sought are those targeted for senior agency positions. Since these participants will come from organizations across the conservation community, a valuable professional network for them may be gained through their Institute experience. Some states have already begun submitting their candidates’ names. Enrollment is limited. Costs are reduced for state fish and wildlife agency participants. Click here for more information or call 304.876.7988.