The National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites graduate students (pursuing a master's or doctoral degree) to apply to the 2021 Conservation Connect Fellowship Program.

Conservation Connect fellowships aim to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders to support each other and advance the field. We are striving to build a cohort of emerging leaders, connecting graduate students who will go on to do important work with communities and public lands in the future!

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Fellows will match the knowledge they are acquiring through their academic work with practical, hands-on experience and contribute directly to collaborative stewardship of our National Forests.

Here's what graduate students will gain through a Conservation Connect fellowship:

• Applied experience with conservation programs and projects through a practicum project. For example, depending on the project, fellows may work with diverse stakeholders, support and facilitate collaborative efforts, coordinate and implement projects, conduct research to improve conservation programs, and develop training curricula and strategic communications.
• Mentoring from from skilled conservation professionals at the NFF and other nonprofit host organizations.
• Training in collaborative conservation, facilitation practice, the roles of the National Environmental Policy Act and U.S. Forest Service, and other topics.
• Real-world understanding of forest and public lands management.
• An expanded personal and professional network.

Fellowships include a summer 2021 and academic year 2021-22 practicum, which may be at a specific location or virtual depending on the project.

The NFF will accept applications through February 15, 2021.