It’s the West Point of conservation leadership, an academy built on a foundation of Harvard University academics and Boone and Crockett Club practicality. 

Now in its fourth year, the National Conservation Leadership Institute (NCLI) in Washington D.C. offers unique advanced-training opportunities for gifted professionals envisioning and shaping the future of America’s outdoors. More than 100 selectees have attended so far, representing conservation agencies and organizations nationwide.

But it may not be enough. 

Surveys show 77 percent of state conservation agency senior leaders may retire by 2015, and more than half of federal conservation leaders even sooner. This coming void in institutional memory, personal connections with hunting and early conservation efforts, and understanding of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, inspired the Boone and Crockett Club to help prepare the next generation of conservation leaders.

“We consider this to be one of the nation’s most significant conservation challenges and we must develop the leadership needed to ensure the future of America’s natural resource legacy,” said Boone and Crockett President Lowell E. Baier, who helped found NCLI. 

NCLI offers an intense, eight-month training experience featuring Harvard facilitators specializing in adaptive leadership, the latest strategy for developing management potential.

Boone and Crockett recently announced a new $10,000 grant for continued support of NCLI. Sponsors also include the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Weatherby Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Pope and Young Club, American Fisheries Society, and others.

For more information visit www.conservationleadership.org.