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The Conservation Leadership Initiative (CLI) is designed to immerse college students in experiential learning, professional development, and networking opportunities through ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s grassroots conservation efforts. In return, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ leaders learn how to better connect with and be inspired by the next generation of conservationists.

When 25 Florida college students and 23 ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ chapter leaders joined this year’s Conservation Leadership Initiative, the intention was to join the program remotely in October 2020 and shift to inperson events in Spring 2021. Although COVID-19 continued to impact program logistics, CLI Students and Mentors found plenty of ways to create meaningful relationships and experiences.

Central Florida students were able to safely connect with each other through volunteer workdays at the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland. Students from Tampa to Orlando gathered for days of service, working together in a safe outdoor environment. One student, Eli Schroeder (UCF) even became a regular bird care volunteer at the Center, and Nat Harrison (Seminole State College) was hired on as CLI’s summer intern. Nat will be helping to recruit and plan for next year’s CLI program and assisting with education projects at the Center for Birds of Prey.

Several chapters welcomed their CLI students as Student Directors on their Executive Board or secured funding to hire them as interns in their conservation projects.

CLI has also become a valuable pipeline of young professionals to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Florida hiring pool this year. Three CLI students accepted seasonal Anchor Steward positions on our Coastal team, and our former intern Olivia Sciandra joined the Climate team.

Many students will continue to work with their local chapters throughout the summer and into the fall. The ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Florida network looks forward to staying connected with our 2020-2021 students as we watch their careers take flight! Planning for the 2021-22 Cohort has already begun, integrating the most successful outcomes of virtual programming with more hands-on experiences.

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