For Urban Forestry, Green Infrastructure, Green Industry, and Environmental Practitioners
– A project funded through a grant awarded by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Service
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VNRI 2010 Cohort – With our first representation from the great state of Texas
So You Want to Start a Leadership Program?
There has never been a more important time to have effective management over our country’s natural resources. A Natural Resource Leadership Institute (NRLI) is the innovative way many states are changing how people think about pressing environmental issues and their solutions. The basic premise is to bring together key leaders from across the state for a series of workshops and training seminars on green infrastructure, collaborative problem-solving, and conflict resolution. These year-long programs are cross sector initiatives, usually involving multi-sector stakeholders from green industry, small and independent businesses, local, state, and federal government, educational institutions, and environmental, civic, and non-profit organizations.
Started in North Carolina in 1995, NRLI programs now exist across the country and have become a valuable asset for states involved. The Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina programs in particular have gained immense popularity and are models for those looking for common, collaborative solutions. Fellows in these programs gain the skills needed to avoid gridlock often associated with natural resource management, saving time, money, and social costs for all parties. With increasing stress on our land, water, and wildlife, a NRLI program may be the right way to get your state talking about the issues in a way that involves everyone.