Theories of Change workshop held in Providence, Rhode Island Photo: Nora Mitchell

Exchanging Perspectives on Innovation: National Conservation Leadership Dialogues
In cooperation with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Program on Conservation Innovation at Harvard University, the Institute cosponsored“ Conservation in the Twenty-first Century: A Leadership Dialogue.” This national symposium, held in June 2002 at the Lincoln Land Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was a gathering of top conservation leaders. Twenty-five participants from across the country discussed innovation in conservation science, conservation education, resource protection, and stewardship.

This dialogue launched an annual series. In June 2003, the second conservation leadership dialogue, “Landscape-scale Conservation: Grappling with the Green Matrix,” was held at the Presidio in Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco. Participants explored definitions, examples, and strategies through a series of case studies on landscape-scale conservation.

In 2004, the focus of the leadership dialogue shifted to “Frontiers of Conservation Finance” and was held at the Lincoln Land Institute. This discussion investigated promising new techniques for financing conservation projects. A publication on this seminar is underway.

Forging the Link between People and Place: Land Trust Alliance National Workshops
At the Land Trust Alliance national conference in October 2004 (in Providence, RI), CSI co sponsored two workshops on “Theories of Change in Conservation.” These workshops were organized and facilitated by CSI leadership program director Virginia Farley and Andy Pitz with the Natural Lands Trust. A lively conversation focused on identifying the critical processes needed to change the values and behaviors that influence resource conservation and sustainable development. The importance of having a vision, engaging people where they live, and providing opportunities for involving diverse populations and interests, were some of the themes of the dialogue. A third workshop on “The Role of Place-based Education in Fostering Land Conservation” was organized by CSI community engagement program director Delia Clark in collaboration with Megan Camp (from Shelburne Farms National Historic Landmark in Vermont) and Constance Washburn (from Marin Agricultural Land Trust in California). Participants examined and discussed the key role of place-based education in engaging citizens— youth and adults—in stewardship of their own communities.

In October 2003, CSI co-sponsored a workshop titled “Connecting Land and People: The Stories and Motivations for a New Practice of Land Conservation” at the national conference in Sacramento, California. The workshop was facilitated by CSI leadership program director Virginia Farley in cooperation with Peter Forbes of the Trust for Public Land and the Center for Whole Communities. The workshop focused on redefining our notions of success in conservation and on the power of stories.

At the Land Trust Alliance national conference in Austin, Texas, in October 2002, Virginia Farley co-facilitated a workshop on “The Why of Land Conservation.” This workshop featured Scott Russell Sanders, distinguished professor of English at Indiana University and author of 18 books. The workshop challenged participants to explore their commitment to land stewardship. CSI also co-sponsored a day-long seminar, “Stories of Place” featuring Nan Jenks-Jay, director of environmental affairs at Middlebury College, and Gary Paul Nabhan, noted author, MacArthur Fellow, and former member of the National Park System Advisory Board.

Exploring the Connection Between Experience of Place and Conservation: Murie Center Symposium
The Murie Center, located on the historic Murie Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, carries forward the values inherent in the teachings of the Murie family—respect for nature, the importance of wilderness, and responsible action. During the center’s 2002 Summer Symposium, CSI leadership program director Virginia Farley participated in a panel discussion on the interrelationship of personal and professional values. She focused on the link between formative experiences on the land and professional interest in conservation. Virginia also led two workshops exploring the use of dialogue and reflective writing as tools for conservation leadership.