Measures of Success

A statistically significant survey of all VNRLI alumni in the fall of 2007 yielded these results:

  • More the 90% of the alumni responding agree that VNRLI provides tangible benefits to the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
  • More than 90% of the alumni agree that the experience has enabled them to improve their ability on the job and has made them more effective leaders.
  • 90% strongly agreed that their conflict management skills have improved as result of their involvement in VNRLI.
  • More the 80% of the alumni indicate that they seek collaborative solutions in their work and that skills gained through VNRLI in consensus building and/or collaborative problem solving have been integral to this work.
  • 98% of the alumni indicate that they would recommend VNRLI to others for leadership development.

Alumni in Action

Fellows use their skills to make a real difference in their communities, region and across the Commonwealth, addressing divisive issues, and reducing the high cost of intractable, extended confrontations. Below are a few examples of endeavors initiated by VNRLI Fellows following their graduation.

VNRLI Fellows develop innovative partnerships to address broad, persistent issues:

  • In an effort led by Ann Jennings, Virginia Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Agriculture and Conservation Partnership for Water Quality (“The Partnership”), brings together a diverse coalition of partners to identify and advocate for those sustainable solutions that support both a vibrant agriculture economy and clean water.
  • In another effort led by Ann Jennings, in partnership with others, the Waste Solutions Forum (WSF and WSFII), brings together farmers, environmentalists and industry leaders in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to develop innovative ways to manage animal manure and litter.
  • Initiated by Ann Beals, Executive Board of the Virginia Forestry Association, an environmental education program ensures that all elementary school students in Spotsylvania have outdoor environmental education.

VNRLI Fellows develop community collaborations to address specific place-based land use problems:

  • Shenandoah Forum, founded by Rosemary Wallinger addresses the proposed widening of I-81, and County growth issues.
  • An inter-faith collaboration for inner-city revitalization was facilitated by Anthony Scott, a mediator and facilitator.

VNRLI Fellows develop collaborative regional planning for improving water quality and sustaining working lands:

  • The Rivanna River Basin Commission founded by Ridge Schuyler, Piedmont Director of the Nature Conservancy, provides a collaborative stakeholder approach to watershed management.
  • Led by Jim Lawrence, the Abrams/Opequon TMDL Implementation Steering Committee provides a collaborative stakeholder approach to watershed management.
  • The Ecosystem Value Trading Program for Working Forests was led by Buck Kline, Virginia Department of Forestry, in partnership with other alumni including Bud Watson and Bruce Hull.
  • The Forum on the Future of Agriculture in Southeast Virginia (for peanut farmer transition) was conceived and organized by Michael Roberts, Virginia Cooperative Extension.