• Professional development focused on leadership, innovation, communications, conservation planning, outreach to diverse audiences, and evaluation in a creative and supportive learning environment;

• Financial support to attend a five-day Leadership Institute (May 29-June 3, 2012) and a three-day, follow-up Leadership Retreat, including costs for travel and lodging;
• A $10,000 grant to your organization to help support a creative Conservation Action Project,  as well as additional training opportunities;
• Networking opportunities to meet and collaborate with other TogetherGreen Fellows and opportunities to establish strong professional connections with Audubon staff and other leaders in the conservation field;
• Opportunities to secure additional funding through the TogetherGreen Innovation Grants Program*; and
• Opportunities for public recognition through media and web promotion.

* Fellows alumni who work for an organization interested in applying for a grant can apply for an Innovation Grant after the Fellowship by partnering with an organization in the Audubon network (Audubon State Offices, Centers, and Chapters). Individuals are not eligible for grants, only organizations. For more information on eligibility and selection criteria for these grants, visit www.TogetherGreen.org/grants.

Applicants must:

• Have at least six years of experience in conservation, environmental education, policy, or environmental issues, as demonstrated through current and past work experience, academic studies related to the environment, and/or volunteer work.
• Have a current affiliation (full- or part-time employment or equivalent volunteer commitment) with a conservation organization, business, university, community-based organization, or other professional organization whose goals and practices make a positive contribution to environmental conservation.
• Be based in the United States and working on a Conservation Action Project in the United States (U.S. territories not included).

Fellows will be required to attend the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Institute from May 29 - June 3, 2012 at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm: a five-day professional development course focused on enhancing conservation skills and sharing the latest thinking on achieving sustainable conservation success. The Institute will also highlight the importance of using education, communications, outreach, and social marketing to engage diverse communities in conservation. The Leadership Institute helps bridge the gaps among conservation professionals working in different aspects of the field and create a network of leaders who support each other and share best practices. In the summer of 2013, Fellows will come back together for a three-day follow-up retreat to hone in on key conservation issues, network, and share experiences.

Additionally, up to 25 percent of the $10,000 grant can be applied toward additional professional development activities directly linked to implementing each Fellow’s Conservation Action Project. For example, a Fellow who wants to learn more about outreach strategies or management may use a portion of their TogetherGreen funds to take a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service training course.

Fellows will design and implement innovative action projects that work to achieve measurable conservation results. The projects will enhance Fellows’ professional skills and provide opportunities for pursuing creative approaches to conservation with the intention of more effectively engaging individuals and communities in meaningful conservation actions. Fellows are encouraged to build on their current conservation work by discussing their Conservation Action Projects with their employers and integrating the projects into existing work or volunteer commitments when possible.

Conservation Action Projects must focus on one or more of the conservation goals of TogetherGreen, complement national and state Audubon goals, and/or address specific environmental behaviors. Fellows will be expected to evaluate their Conservation Action Projects using evaluation guidelines approved by Audubon. Conservation Action Projects must take place in the United States (excluding Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and other US territories).

To learn about past Fellows’ Conservation Action Projects, visit www.togethergreen.org/fellows.

TogetherGreen Conservation Goals

1)   HABITAT GOAL:  Protect habitat for targeted species and in targeted landscapes
       Habitat Objectives:

•       Reduce threats to habitats of species that need special protection
•       Restore habitats for species of special concern

2)   WATER GOAL: Protect water resources
       Water Objectives:

•       Improve water supplies to protect biodiversity
•       Improve water quality to protect biodiversity

3)   ENERGY GOAL: Protect our climate
       Energy Objectives:

•        Reduce the threat of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy use and/or improving efficiency 

To achieve these goals, Fellows should strive to engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action.

Prospective Fellows are asked to describe a specific Conservation Action Project in the application; opportunities for refining the project will be available during the June 2012 Conservation Leadership Institute. We strongly recommend you use this Conservation Planning guide for help thinking through a Conservation Action Project.

TogetherGreen Fellows will be selected through a competitive, merit-based process. Eligible candidates must submit a complete application form along with two letters of recommendation and other supporting documents as described below. A National Advisory Board (composed of individuals representing diverse fields, including conservation biology, leadership and training, strategic communications, education, organizational development, and evaluation) will review applications and identify the top candidates based on the following criteria:

• Professional qualifications as evidenced by previous and current conservation-related experiences, résumé, letters of recommendation from colleagues in the field, publications, and other sources.
• Personal passion and interest in honing leadership skills and engaging others to achieve conservation results.
• Demonstration of leadership talent through involvement in community and volunteer activities, the workplace, local, state, and national government, and other areas.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision for a Conservation Action Project with measureable outcomes that achieves the goals of TogetherGreen.
• Understanding of the complexity of conservation and a willingness to work across disciplines to achieve results, reach new audiences, think creatively, and measure success.

APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE STATUS OF THEIR APPLICATION IN MAY 2012.

The Request for Proposals that details the application process can be downloaded from this site.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS MARCH 5, 2012.

In the online application, applicants will be asked to answer short essay questions that address the applicant’s qualifications, the proposed Conservation Action Project, and how the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program would further the applicant’s personal and career goals.

IN ADDITION, APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:

• Résumé (up to 2 pages)
• Letter of support from applicant’s current supervisor expressing his or her commitment to support the applicant’s participation in the program. (Download form in Word or PDF.)
• Letter of recommendation from a former or current colleague, employer, or faculty member  familiar with applicant’s professional experience and commitment to conservation. (Download form in Word or PDF.)

• Mentor support letter (optional). Applicants have the option of identifying a conservation mentor (e.g., a scientist, program officer, policy or communication expert working directly on a conservation project). If a conservation practitioner agrees to serve as a mentor, he/she should submit a letter expressing support for the applicant for the duration of the program. (Download form in Word or PDF.)

ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE BY MARCH 5, 2012.

APPLY NOW.

Each TogetherGreen Fellow will be required to:

• Take part in the full 12-month fellowship and maintain an active presence in the TogetherGreen Alumni network after completion of fellowship.
• Attend a five-day Conservation Leadership Institute (May 29 - June 3, 2012) and a follow-up three-day Retreat (summer 2013). All Institute and Retreat travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the program.
• Complete and evaluate a Conservation Action Project in his/her community or region focused on habitat, water, and/or energy, and engaging diverse audiences in conservation.
• Host seminars, workshops, or other events focused on their Conservation Action Project, with a goal of reaching at least 100 people.
• Submit an approved budget for the $10,000 grant. Fellows will receive guidance during the June 2012 Leadership Institute on program budgeting and evaluation.
• Serve as a program spokesperson and conservation role model for the TogetherGreen program.
• Actively participate in evaluation activities implemented by the external evaluation team.
• Sign a waiver authorizing a background check.
• Sign a photo release form.
• Sign a grant agreement.