Editor: Terra Rentz
LI Newsletter Subcommittee Chair: Allison Fowler
Reporters: Charlotte Weaver and Erin Shaw

Promoting Diversity Among Current and Future Wildlife Professionalse

As the United States becomes increasingly diversified, so too must the leaders of the conservation field. The profession must reflect the diversity of the country in order to ensure growth of the field and consistent conservation of the country’s natural resources and ecosystems. As leaders, Leadership Institute alumni can help diversify the conservation workforce and help deliver the message of conservation to a changing population. TWS has several ongoing programs to encourage such diversification.

The TWS Professional Development Program for Native American Wildlife Students seeks to increase involvement of Native Americans in the wildlife profession and works in partnership with the Native Peoples’ Wildlife Management Working Group. In the program’s third year, TWS is expanding the program as more federal agencies are providing grant support. TWS currently receives funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Program participants attend and participate in the TWS annual conference, receive a one-year membership to TWS, and become members of the Native People’s Wildlife Management Working Group as a part of the experience.

TWS also received donations from FWS and the U.S. Forest Service to increase representation of other underrepresented peoples in the wildlife field. The increased funding will allow 10 students from underrepresented populations to attend the upcoming annual conference in Hawaii. While there, they will be involved with the Diversity Working Group and will have mentors to guide them and enrich their experience. They will have the opportunity to network through participation in the career fair and other scheduled conference events, making valuable connections to further their education and careers.

“Increasing diversity in the wildlife profession is critical for the future of wildlife management and conservation. The U.S. will be a minority-majority country by the year 2050. Who will carry the message of the importance of wildlife and habitat conservation to these diverse audiences? We also need the innovation and diversity of ideas and approaches that will come from a more diverse workforce,” said Michael Hutchins, Executive Director/CEO of The Wildlife Society. TWS hopes to integrate further discussion of diversity into the Leadership Institute program as well as increase the diversity of applicants. Increasing diversity and becoming sensitive to other cultures is an important skill for leaders, especially in a field such as wildlife management and conservation as there are many diverse stakeholder groups representing many cultures and opinions.  

Leadership Training Opportunities

National Outdoor Leadership School: This educational organization offers a wide range of classes with a focus on the development of outdoor and leadership skills. Prior outdoor experience is not required and classes are ongoing. Classes are available both nationally and internationally and provide an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on leadership training. Learn more at nols.edu .

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: The National Zoo’s Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute will be offering a course in “Effective Conservation Leadership” in 2012. The course aims to train individuals in the environmental, natural resource, and conservation professions, providing them with useful communication and leadership skills to be applied in the field. Keep an eye out for the 2012 class dates on the zoo website for this excellent professional development opportunity. Other undergraduate, graduate, and professional opportunities and training are available at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/MAB/GMU/default.cfm .

Where are they now?

Read about what a Leadership Institute alum is up to now and what they have achieved since they participated.

Whisper Camel (Leadership Institute Class of 2009) is a Wildlife Biologist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and currently is working on a US Highway 93 wildlife crossing mitigation structure and monitoring project. She is also involved in public education and environmental outreach for the tribes. Whisper has been with the CSKT Tribal Wildlife Program since 1997, working her way up from Wildlife Biologist Technician to a Level 2 Biologist. She also recently received certification from TWS as an Associate Wildlife Biologist.

Whisper is a member of the TWS Montana Chapter and since being a part of LI was elected president. She said that she wouldn’t have considered leadership roles if not for being in LI and believes that the program was valuable in giving her the confidence to pursue the TWS position. As the president of the Montana Chapter, she has enjoyed getting more involved in the work of TWS and having the opportunity to meet other leaders in the wildlife biology field. Whisper’s leadership training through TWS has also helped her as a biologist in working with people from different agencies, managing crews in the field, and in searching for grants for her projects.