Still Time! Wildlife Leadership Academy Accepting Nominations To Become Student Conservation Ambassadors By Attending Its 2020 Summer Camps

The Wildlife Leadership Academy in Lewisburg, Union County is seeking referrals of motivated students ages 14 to 17 to become Certified Conservation Ambassadors by attending one of five residential summer camps.  

Nominations should be received by February 29.  Letters will then be sent to nominated students, with an invitation to apply to the 2020 program.

Nominated students should have demonstrated interest in wildlife and/or fisheries conservation. 

Accepted nominees will become certified Conservation Ambassadors through attending a 5-day residential summer field schools which focuses on a particular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, bass, brook trout, turkey and bear (it's back!!). 

Students in each field school will gain extensive knowledge about natural resource conservation, leadership experience, and communication skills.

Applicants may be nominated by an adult who knows them well, but is not a relative (teacher, school counselor, Envirothon advisor, employer, youth group leader, etc.).

As Conservation Ambassadors, students can receive a letter of recommendation for college applications; certification of community service work, and a certificate designating them as Conservation Ambassadors.  

Students are also eligible to apply for three college credits through Cedar Crest College, return to the Academy tuition free the following year, compete for college scholarships, and join an Academy Alumni Network of wildlife, fisheries, and conservation professionals.

Academy Alumni and Conservation Ambassador Aubree Reiter of Blair County describes her participation in the program as an “absolutely amazing experience.”

She shared, “Everything was absolutely amazing. The people we met were extraordinary and the amount of information we obtained was just mind boggling. I still talk about my experience to my family and I am constantly referencing my notes. I can’t wait for my future!  The field school reached beyond my expectations.”

The mission of the Wildlife Leadership Academy is to engage and empower high school age youth to become Conservation Ambassadors to ensure a sustained wildlife, fisheries and natural resource legacy for future generations. 

The Academy, a nonprofit organization, is a cooperative initiative involving state agencies and conservation organizations.

To nominate a student or for more information, visit the Academy’s Conservation Ambassadors webpage or contact Program and Outreach Coordinator, Katie Cassidy at kcassidy@wildlifeleadershipacademy.org or call 570-939-5109.  

Visit the Wildlife Leadership Academy website or Facebook page to learn more about its programs, alumni and upcoming programs. Read the NextGen Blog to see what alumni of the program are up to and thinking about.  Click Here to sign up to receive updates from the Academy.

[Posted: February 6, 2020]  PA Environment Digest