Conservation Florida chosen as inaugural host of Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program
Recent College Graduates to Jump Start Their Careers in Florida
ORLANDO, Florida (Aug. 18, 2020) — Conservation Florida, a leader in statewide land conservation, and the Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, today announced placement of two Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program Fellows.
The Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program is a career and leadership development program launched by Land Trust Alliance and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry. The program aims to expand opportunities for students to pursue careers in natural resource management and conservation, with an emphasis on reaching students of underrepresented and minority backgrounds in these sectors.
2020 Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program Fellow, Lillian Dinkins at Conservation Florida’s D Ranch Preserve. Photo by Lloyd Green.
Lillian Dinkins, who graduated with a degree in environmental science from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, and Papa Gueye, who graduated with a degree in agronomy from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida, began their paid, yearlong fellowship at Conservation Florida on Aug. 3. (Photos of Dinkins and Gueye are available on request.)
“I’m beyond excited for this upcoming year with Conservation Florida,” Dinkins said. “Florida has really unique wildlife and ecosystems that I’ll be able to learn about as well as help protect. I’m especially excited to help with educational programming.”
“I am honored to be selected to complete a prestigious yearlong fellowship with Conservation Florida,” Gueye said. “I’m very grateful for this amazing opportunity, which would not have been possible without the support and mentorship of my family and friends. As I graduated from both high school and college in Florida, I also could not be happier to be able to work in a state that is dear to my heart.”
2020 Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program Fellow, Papa Gueye at Conservation Florida’s D Ranch Preserve. Photo by Lloyd Green.
Through these fellowships, Conservation Florida becomes the first land trust in the nation to host SCLP fellows. Dinkins and Gueye chose to pursue their fellowships at Conservation Florida because of the organization’s ability to provide them with particularly relevant on-the-job training while enabling them to work remotely. Both fellows will be based in Orlando.
The 2019 pilot program brought together 10 undergraduate college students from across the country in October for a one-day professional development experience followed by attendance at Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference held in Raleigh, North Carolina. While at the largest national convening of conservation professions in the country, students heard from leaders in conservation and natural resource management, and gained skills in support of their career development.
After the seminar, the students joined the conference, where they had the opportunity to participate in numerous trainings and workshops while connecting with young professionals and conservation practitioners from across the nation. Out of the initial cohort, two students were selected to participate in a paid, yearlong fellowship at a land trust to gain on-the-job experience.
“All of us at the Land Trust Alliance are gratified to see so much come of this program,” said Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of the Alliance. “Through this opportunity, accomplished students from across the country are gaining valuable practical experiences with land trusts and building the professional networks they need to advance their careers.”
“Growing a diverse and inclusive future for conservation is a goal we share with the Land Trust Alliance and Conservation Florida,” said Deputy Chief John Phipps, State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service. “We are proud to support future conservation leaders like Lillian and Papa.”
“We’re thrilled to have two bright, passionate conservationists joining our team as they begin their careers,” said Traci Deen, the executive director and CEO of Conservation Florida. “It’s an honor to host Lillian and Papa and partner with the Land Trust Alliance and USDA Forest Service on this timely and important program.”
SCLP will begin recruiting its next cohort of 20 college students in February 2021. Interested students should bookmark www.landtrustalliance.org and watch for more information about the application process in the months ahead.
About Conservation Florida
Conservation Florida is an accredited land trust with a mission to save Florida’s natural and agricultural landscapes for future generations. Our conservation projects support Florida’s native plants and wildlife, fresh water, conservation corridors, family farms and ranches, the economy and nature-based recreation. Since our founding in 1999, Conservation Florida has led the way in strategic and evidence-based land protection and has saved over 30,000 acres of critical habitat through acquisition, facilitation and incubation of conservation projects.
We save land by developing conservation strategies, exploring funding sources and purchasing or accepting donations of land and conservation easements. Our other services include providing expertise to guide landowners through the land protection process, serving as a trusted community partner to support statewide land conservation and promoting land conservation through effective education and advocacy. Our vision is large-scale, and we are 100% committed to conservation in the state of Florida – for nature, for people, forever!
About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.
About the USDA Forest Service
The mission of the USDA Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests, grasslands and watersheds to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains world-renowned forestry research and wildland fire management organizations. The Cooperative Forestry unit of the USDA Forest Service works closely with partners to enhance and maintain forests across watersheds and ecosystems, both on private and public land, and delivers its work through states, local governments, other federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and other partners leveraging additional resources and fueling innovation.