Exploring relevancy and stewardship at the 2017 George Wright Society Conference

The George Wright Society hosted its biennial conference dedicated to advancing thought and practice in parks, protected areas, and cultural sites in Norfolk Virginia, April 2-7, 2017. Participants addressed the opportunities and challenges facing conservation into the future by making connections, seeking collaboration, and promoting understanding.

The Community Stewardship Program (CSP) hosted a session to explore relevancy and stewardship through the pillars, priorities, and pilot projects of the new program. The session produced a lively discussion on evaluating success, potential projects, and collaboration opportunities.

Program Lead Kris Barnes was also invited to serve as a panelist on the Natural Resource Stewardship and Leadership Beyond our First Centennial Panel, hosted by the Chief of the Biological Resources Division, Elaine Leslie. The eight person panel was comprised of past and present leaders in the National Park Service (NPS) and aimed to take a chronological look at NPS natural resource stewardship from the Leopold Report of 1963, through present day, and into the future. Participants were given 10 minutes to share their experience and insight through the lens of time. There was an engaging conversation amongst the panelists and the audience; one that acknowledged the many challenges facing parks going forward, but also hope and strategies for the next generation of stewards.

To learn more about the NPS Community Stewardship Program, visit our website here.