Leaders are at the heart of any successful movement.

Help lead the conservation actions needed to shape a greener, healthier future. Apply to become a TogetherGreen Fellow. Each year, 40 new Fellows will get broad-based training, assistance, and opportunities to help them:

• conduct their own innovative, results-oriented conservation projects
• serve as conservation role models
• inspire and engage diverse audiences and communities
• build leadership skills
• connect with other U.S. and international conservation leaders

Applicants may be budding volunteer leaders or mid-career environmental professionals.

They must have a passion for conservation, the desire to learn and grow, and a commitment to making a difference.

In addition to being part of a prestigious cadre of leaders, TogetherGreen Fellows will receive:

• 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 and a three-day, follow-up Retreat, including costs for travel and lodging
• A $10,000 grant 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*
• Opportunities for public recognition through media and web promotion

What previous Fellows have to say about the program and the Leadership Institute:

“The TogetherGreen Fellowship is significant in that it allows me to focus my time and talents on an issue that is heartfelt and personal to me. By serving both people and wildlife, I hope to elicit outcomes that help strengthen the human-nature bond and move us to a conservation ethic in the best tradition of Aldo Leopold.”

Drew Lanham, Wildlife Biology professor at Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina

“The diversity of people and ideas at the Conservation Leadership Institute was nothing short of amazing – the most diverse conservation assembly I have ever attended. Diversity of age, ethnicity, regions of the country, kinds of and setting for conservation projects, backgrounds, etc. made the gathering unique and very special. The common bond of caring about conservation and about people was all the more evident because of that great diversity.”

Dan Kunkle, Director of Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Lehighton, Pennsylvania

“I feel very fortunate and honored to have been selected, and I had a wonderful time meeting and talking with everyone as we went through the week. I was absolutely impressed with how much energy, passion, foresight, experience, professionalism, information, emotion, personality and beauty that was shared.”

Kristin Kelly, Smart Growth Director, Pilchuck Audubon Society, Snohomish, Washington

“Many years ago when I started crossing over from the art world into the world of environmentalists I was totally refreshed by the lack of egos and extraordinary passions I encountered. In West Virginia, the eco-selves were in full force, majestic, and humbling. I just wished there was more time to hear everyone’s visionary speeches. I’m sure there are some beautiful stories. But I’m sure those moments will present themselves in the year ahead as we continue to work together.”

Ana Flores, Artist In Residence, Kettle Pond Visitor Center, Charlestown, Rhode Island

“It is our energy for exploring the unknown, desire to help one another, willingness to push our own boundaries and those of others’, acceptance of others’ perspectives and insights, enthusiasm for learning, and excitement for building new relationships, partnerships and friendships, that make this program. I’m thinking about how to put the new ideas we spent the week talking about into action. Each day brought me something new – a new idea, technique, insight, or perspective.”

Curt Gervich, PhD Candidate, School of International and Public Affairs at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

* Alumni who work for an organization who are interested in applying for a grant can apply after the fellowship by working 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 the Innovation Grants website.

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 conservation, 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 conservation.
• Live and work in the U.S.

Fellows will be required to attend the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Institute: a week-long 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 will help bridge the gap 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 2011, Fellows will come back together for a three-day follow-up Retreat to hone in on key conservation issues, network, and share experiences.

Institute Dates: The Leadership Institute will take place at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, August 29-September 3, 2010. TogetherGreen will cover all travel and lodging costs.

Additionally, up to 25 percent of the $10,000 grant can be applied toward professional development activities (individual training courses) 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 sign up for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service training course.

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 (for Audubon Fellows), and/or address specific environmental behaviors. Fellows will be expected to evaluate their Conservation Action Projects using evaluation guidelines approved by Audubon. All Conservation Action Projects must take place in the U.S.

TogetherGreen Conservation Goals

Achieving Conservation Results by Engaging People!

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 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 July 2010.

An online application is now available!

To apply for a TogetherGreen fellowship, you must register as a TogetherGreen user and fill out an online application. Applicants must answer five short essay questions, upload a resume, and submit two letters of recommendation. 

Application materials must be received by May 7, 2010, 5pm EDT.

In order to meet the deadline your references may submit their recommendation letters to fellows@togethergreen.org.

All applicants will be notified by early July 2010.

Apply now

Each TogetherGreen Fellow will be asked to:

• Attend a five-day Conservation Leadership Institute (August 29 - September 3, 2010) and a follow-up three-day Retreat (fall 2011). 
• Complete and evaluate a Conservation Action Project in his/her community or region focused on habitat, water, energy, and engaging diverse audiences in conservation. For more about conservation goals, click here.
• Host seminars, workshops, or other events with a goal of reaching at least 100 people.
• Submit an approved budget for the $10,000 grant. Fellows will receive guidance during the Fall 2010 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.

If you have any questions about the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, contact:

Anne Ferguson, Fellows Manager, at fellows@togethergreen.org.

TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program