We are working to create a stream of leadership that understands the world as it is evolving.
The goal of the National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (NCLELA) is to prepare the next generation of conservation law enforcement executives to successfully carry out the conservation law enforcement mission in a rapidly changing world.
The NCLELA focus is to provide an educational experience on contemporary issues, future trends, adaptive leadership, systems challenges, and other skills, knowledge, and understandings that will be essential to success for those in executive-level conservation law enforcement leadership roles in the future.
NCLELA fellows will be engaged in adult learning related to adaptive leadership, systems thinking, leading innovation, mental health and wellness, and other contemporary law enforcement issues. The NCLELA is student-centered with a high degree of student involvement and experiential learning.
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Why attend?
These testimonials from prior academy attendees show the impact this academy has had on them professionally and personally.
“Technical skills are so easy to identify and deploy, yet it is the risky tasks that bring real change. I learned a great deal in terms of managing myself and intervening skillfully in conversations and systems - both at home and at work. Taking the time to listen, to learn about systems and fully grasp the different perspectives and complexities was something I thought I knew how to do, but I can tell you I was wrong. Learning from others around me in the class and watching interactions between everyone revealed just how much I was missing in my observations - I was focused on the outcome and not the system. I have found new skills to be an active listener and not immediately react to problems. It has been an eye opener and has greatly helped me be a better manager, leader, parent and spouse.”
“The academy broadened my perspective on national issues that have implications in my own state and helps me daily in decision making and the lens at which I approach adaptive change. The NACLEC leadership academy provided the best, hands on, immediately applicable training that I have ever received. The relationships that are fostered with law enforcement counterparts from across the country are tremendous and invaluable.”
“The NACLEC experience was extremely helpful in both my personal and professional growth. It created priceless partnerships and collaborative opportunities throughout the country. I have found myself working through many difficult adaptive leadership challenges and I have had the support and accountability through other NACEC cohorts from other states who are willing to work through these challenges with me. NACLEC has attributed to my life personally as it helped me identify why I chose conservation law enforcement as a profession. It truly re-energized my enthusiasm for the outdoors and my purpose as a conservation law enforcement officer. NACLEC enriched my life in so many ways.”
Who is eligible to attend?
To participate in this leadership training program, attendees MUST:
Be employed in one of the highest three tiers of senior leadership in the applying law enforcement agency (preferably with at least five years remaining in their career)
Be employed by a local, state or federal conservation law enforcement agency
Have the endorsement of your agency’s Law Enforcement Chief Executive
What are some of topics covered in the academy?
Principles and Competencies of Adaptive Leadership
Using Systems Thinking for Transformational Change
Expanding our Focus to Serve Broader Segments of Society
Recruiting, Hiring, Training, Retaining & Developing for the Future
Emotional Intelligence
Enhancing Mindful Self-Awareness & Personal Leadership Capacity
Stress Management and Officer Mental Health and Wellness
Strengthening Relationships and Impact Networking
How much time and work is involved?
There is an online (asynchronous) learning component in the NACLEC Leadership Academy experience. Participants will begin online learning activities 6-8 weeks prior to the residency beginning at the National Conservation Training Center. Online participation is a critical element in everyone’s academy learning experience. It provides a foundation for the academy experience. Completing online work will require an investment of roughly 3 hours per week in the 6-8 weeks prior to arriving at the academy.
An integral aspect of the learning experience involves participants working on a project that applies what is learned in the academy to a contemporary adaptive challenge. Participants will select an applied learning project on an adaptive challenge and work on making progress on that challenge back at their respective agencies.
Individualized Coaching
Challenging yourself to change in ways you want to can be difficult. Everyone needs support in shifting perspectives to change default patterns of thought and behavior that can impede leadership capacity. Individualized coaching can be very helpful in promoting flexibility in thinking, illuminating action steps, and providing accountability and feedback needed to realize your personal development goals. As part of your academy experience, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in two, one-hour individual coaching sessions.
How much does it cost?
$4,750.00 per student for agencies who are current NACLEC Members
$5,250.00 for agencies who are not current NACLEC Members
Tuition includes a tactical academy shirt, all meals, lodging at NCTC and all instructional costs Do not send any money now - NACLEC will invoice your agency if you have been accepted.
Note: Agencies are responsible for all travel costs to and from the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
What are the 2025 session dates and deadlines?
March 2, 2025 – March 15, 2025. Applications are due by 18:00 CST November 18, 2024. Tuition payments for accepted applicants are due by February 21, 2025.
Where is the Academy held?
All classes will be held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
What if I have more questions?
Questions about the academy can be directed to:
Randy Stark, Executive Director
starkr@charter.net
(608) 332-0716
Technical questions about the application can be directed to:
Kimberly Elms
naclecsec@gmail.com