This document describes the Conservation Leadership through Learning initiative. Its mission is to attract, educate, and inspire a new generation of conservation leaders through an integrated, real-world educational program. The program has three main components: (1) interdisciplinary, field-based education; (2) a diverse student learning community; and (3) cross-cultural educational experiences both within the US and Mexico. Its goal is to develop systems thinkers who can tackle complex environmental challenges through collaborative leadership.

1. Conservation Leadership
through Learning
Learn. Act. Lead.
an initiative of

2. Society’s Sustainability Challenge
Climate Change
Habitat Destruction
Invasive Species
Population Growth Leadership
Over-harvesting
Energy Security
Food Security
Water Scarcity

3. We need leaders who…
think differently…
embrace complexity…
work collaboratively…
and see the human and environmental
condition as one.

5. Conservation Leadership
through Learning
Our Mission:
Attract, educate, and inspire a new generation
of generalist practitioners who will provide
leadership in natural resource conservation
and environmental sustainability.

6. Conservation Leadership Through Learning
3 Main Components
(1) Integrated, Real World Education (2) Learning Community
(3) Cross-Cultural Perspectives

7. Conservation Leadership Through Learning
Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Colorado Chiapas
• Education, Group Projects, • Education, Group Projects,
& Actions Local & Actions
Global

8. Cross-Cultural Perspectives
• Faculty,
Diversity in approaches for addressing problems
• Cohort
Student diversity adds richness to the learning community and in leadership
post-graduation
• Practitioner
Leaders must be able to put themselves in the shoes of their stakeholders
• Human-Ecosystem
Understanding the Human-Ecosystem both within and across systems
• Cultural and Linguistic
Understanding who we are and why is critical for empowering locally-based
solutions

9. Integrated, Real World Education
• Interdisciplinary Coursework
Broad exposure to complementary perspectives: technical and people skills
• Field as Learning Canvas
Understanding the realties of conservation at multiple scales to demonstrate
the complexities of conservation and how the parts relate to the whole
• Linked Enrichment Activities
Directly linked activities that immerse students in real world problems while
providing tangible skills development
• Group Projects
Teamwork that enables students to engage the broader stakeholders
involved in particular issues
• Structured Integration and Reflection
Reflecting on the people, places, and processes

10. Capstone: Synergistic Projects
“Give me a lever long enough… and single-handed I can move the world”
--- Archimedes (Ancient Greek mathematician)
• Field-based, collaborative projects in Chiapas
• Demonstrate systems thinking, interdisciplinary inquiry, and leadership skills
• Deliver tangible and catalytic contributions to the science and practice of conservation

11. Conservation Leadership Through Learning
Learning Community
• Student Cohort: • Faculty
– Age: 23 – 43 yrs. – 22 Instructors
– Academic background – 8 Departments
– Experience – 2 Universities
– Gender
– Countries = 4
– Underrepresented
populations and
economically
disadvantaged

12. ay 1: August 23, 2010

13. http://www.ecosur.mx/posgrado
or
http://leadershipthroughlearning.org
Email:
leadership@warnercnr.colostate.edu