Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science
The Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science Program brings together innovative and compassionate conservation experts in western North America who are ready to contribute their knowledge and skills to build a future where people and nature thrive together. By developing strategic goals, strengthening internal and external skills needed for changemaking work, and building mutual systems of support, we will face the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss head on and grow the next generation of conservation leaders together.
2023 Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science
Gillian Chow-Fraser
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Northern Alberta Chapter,
Rebecca McCaffery
US Geological Survey's Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC
About the Program
Program Overview
Over the course of nine months, we will collectively grow a community of conservationists working from Alaska to Mexico who will explore their purpose, grow their leadership and communication skills, and support each other to lead change within themselves and their community. This program will provide opportunities to help participants grow in the following areas:
- Leadership Development: Opportunities to identify and fully realize their purpose and develop capacities in emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and resilience to support them to lead effective change for the long haul
- Communication Skills: Workshops with accomplished, knowledgeable experts and trainers where they will build essential skills in communication (such as distilling complexity, framing, listening, messaging, storytelling, communicating across difference)
- Strategic Engagement Skills: Guidance and coaching to strategically navigate diverse audiences and networks and identify levers of change to achieve their strategic conservation goal
- Enduring Relationships: A mutually supportive cohort of 20 motivated, inspirational leaders, eager to help each other advance conservation solutions in the West
- Well-Connected Network: Meaningful connections to a broader network of conservation leaders, including the 2015, 2017, and 2021 Wilburforce Leaders, and to guest experts, including community organizers, advocates, journalists, and decision-makers
Program Schedule
- Virtual kick off event on September 22, 2023
- In-person retreat from October 23–27, 2023, held in Washington state. All travel expenses will be covered.
- Half-day virtual workshops on December 8, 2023, February 16, 2024 and April 19, 2024
- Virtual closing event on June 21, 2024
- Monthly small, peer group gatherings, dates and times TBD based on participant availability
Applications for the 2023 cohort are now closed. We will post instructions here when soliciting applications for the next cohort. For more information, please contact us here.
Past Cohorts
2021
Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science
Dr. Jocelyn Akins
Mirjam Barrueto
Dr. Davon Callander
Dr. Tara Chestnut
Dr. Tony Chang
Dr. Chrystal Mantyka-Pringle
Dr. Julia Michalak
Dr. L. Monika Moskal
Dr. Karine Pigeon
Paulo Quadri
Dr. Lana Ciarniello
Dr. Christian Hagen
Dr. Keala Hagmann
Marcy Mahr
Mirna Manteca
Dr. Christopher Sergeant
Gillian Staveley
Erin Steinkruger
Conrad Thiessen
Kaitlin Wilson
2017
Wilburforce Fellows in Conservation Science
Dr. Megan Adams
Bray Beltrán
Dr. Todd Brinkman
Whisper Camel-Means
Dr. Lisa Ellsworth
Dr. Tim Fullman
Miranda Gray
Trevor Haynes
Monica Iglecia
Dr. Megan Lawson
Michael Lucid
Dr. Tara Martin
Dr. Andrea Morehouse
Dr. Christa Mulder
Sherry Ruther
Sasha Stortz
Dr. David Thoma
Dr. Seth White
Dr. Pamela Wright
2015
Wilburforce Fellows in Conservation Science
Ben Alexander
Dr. Kyle Artelle
Dr. Clare Aslan
Sergio Avila
Dr. Jon Bakker
Dr. Jonaki Bhattacharyya
Dr. Brian Harvey
Dr. Aerin Jacob
Dr. Meade Krosby
Dr. Robert Long
Dr. Melissa Lucash
Dr. David Mildrexler
Dr. Jon Moore
Chris Parish
Dr. Jean Polfus
Dr. Mike Quinn
Dr. Regina Rochefort
Erin Sexton
Dr. Lauren Urgenson
Dr. Matt Williamson
About Us
The Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science Program is designed and facilitated by COMPASS staff with the generous support of Wilburforce Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that supports land, water, and wildlife conservation efforts in Western North America.
Learn more about COMPASS and Wilburforce Foundation.
Note: Acceptance to the program does not represent a commitment for future funding from Wilburforce Foundation.