Southeast Conservation Leadership Program (SECLP)
The Southeast Conservation Leadership Program (SECLP), a conservation leadership training program dedicated to early- and mid-career staff in the southeastern US, will increase leadership capacity and promote more strategic, purposeful progress in the region. This program will introduce participants (fellows) to leadership concepts and tools. By teaching these skills earlier in their careers, fellows will have more time to build their capacity for engaging in the work of leadership. Additionally, the SECLP will offer alumni of other leadership programs the opportunity to share their knowledge of adaptive leadership. As we gain more alumni from this regional program, we will maintain a connected network, allowing continued learning alongside others who have completed the training. We envision this network enabling unique and innovative collaborations that might not otherwise be possible. Relationships and trust built between fellows in each cohort will promote and advance collaborative approaches to regional and national conservation challenges for decades.
Conservation professionals from the Southeast participating in the program will:
- Gain exposure to regional leadership training and learn how to strategically expand their collaborations and capacity
- More easily recognize and contextualize leadership behaviors exhibited by colleagues and those in authority positions
- Develop skills that prepare them for more advanced absorption of future leadership training they may pursue later in their careers
- Build networks of conservation professionals beyond their state boundaries that will benefit conservation and projects for decades.
Training Includes:
- 3-day virtual residency: July 13 (10am—2pm), July 14 & 16 (12:30-4:30pm)
- 3-day in-person residency (with 2 additional travel days*) at The Jones Center at Ichauway, Newton, GA, August 31-September 4
- 2-day virtual residency: December 1 & 3 (12:30-4:30pm)
- Periodic conference calls throughout the year
*Note: For the in-person residency, arrival is Monday, August 31, featuring a welcome dinner with programming starting that evening. Programming ends Thursday evening, September 3, with departure Friday, September 4.
The Cohort Make-up Mix:
23 conservation professionals from the Southeast with the goal of:
- 17 from state/territory agencies within the SEAFWA region
- 6 from a mix of NGOs, federal agencies, Tribal Nations & organizations, and industry
Tuition:
The initial year of this program is funded by a Multistate Conservation Program Grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, providing tuition, lodging, and meals free of charge for all fellows. Travel costs are not included. Each fellow/their organization will need to cover travel costs to and from The Jones Center at Ichauway.
Curriculum and Format:
- Adaptive Leadership™ Curriculum: Clarifying personal core values and strengths; Emotional Intelligence/Resilience; Technical vs. Adaptive Problems
- Applied Leadership Project: Each fellow applies learning to a real-world challenge, ensuring direct organizational benefit
- Peer Coaching: Small peer groups supported by experienced coaches
TIMELINE
INFORMATION SESSION:
To view a recorded presentation about the process and program, please click here.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications are accepted through May 27, 2026, for Cohort 1 of the Southeast Conservation Leadership Program (SECLP):
- Click here to review the application requirements
- Click here to fill out the fellow application
- Click here to fill out the nomination form
- Click here to fill out the recommendation form #1 - Current Supervisor
- Click here to fill out the recommendation form #2 - additional recommendation
PURPOSE
The purpose of this proposed program is to enhance leadership development in a way that benefits conservation over the long term, as early- and mid-career fellows are likely to remain in the conservation field throughout their careers. Furthermore, by fostering leadership skills across various organizations, including state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies, federal agencies, and partner groups such as non-profits and industry partners, this program will open up collaborative opportunities that might not happen otherwise to focus on adaptive challenges, especially those that can be addressed by strengthening partnerships and promoting co-development of a shared purpose.
VISION
We envision a flexible and resilient conservation community of professionals who lead with curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.
The Southeast Conservation Leadership Program was developed collaboratively with the following partners:
