Welcome to the back to school issue of the EcoLeaders Insider – the place to get the inside scoop on higher education sustainability – with an emphasis on project-based leadership and career development.

The NWF EcoLeaders team is excited to share some program news as well as meaningful ways to inspire and support you in the new school year. Read on to learn about EcoCareers 2019, how EcoLeaders can support your project-based leadership, tips to support wildlife on campus this fall and participate in a photo contest, and more! 

Have you moved? Are you graduating? Please update your contact information.

Garden for Wildlife Photo Contest Opens September 10

NWF is seeking photographs that illustrate the faces of Garden for Wildlife through striking, colorful images showcasing the impact of habitat gardens on wildlife and people–in urban, suburban, and rural settings, and on land, in the air, and in water. Colleges and universities are encouraged to share their campus photos of habitat and wildlife.

Photo Contest Winners:

• Grand Prize (one winner): $1,000cash prize
• Runner-Up (one winner): $500 cash prize
• Category Winners: One winner from each category will receive a bird feeder and a copy of Wildlife Gardening: Tips for Four Seasons.

Learn more and starting snapping now! 

Contest closes on October 12th

Use NWF EcoLeaders to Jump Start your Project-Based Leadership this School Year!

“In the EcoLeaders certification, there is a means to quantify leadership skills and actions that students have already taken. I think that could be a real asset on a resume and something that can definitely make a student stand apart.” -Hannah Debelius, Sustainability Manager, American University

As the school year ramps up it is a great time to think about the projects you want to tackle this year in class, on campus or in your community. The project planning tools and resources available through EcoLeaders can help you get started, stay organized and earn certification for your project-based leadership!

Share your work by creating a project profile on EcoLeaders so other EcoLeaders, across the country and world, can learn from and find inspiration in your work.

Once you’ve created a project profile, you are then eligible to apply for EcoLeader Certification.

The certification allows you to not only be taken seriously but when looking for work I used it on my resume and it has been really helpful because it’s an organization that is well known. It was a great step for me and I would recommend it to anyone.  -Amira Odeh, Certified NWF Campus EcoLeader 

So what are you waiting for? Start on your path to EcoLeader Certification today!

Save the Date: 2019 EcoCareers Conference: Navigating the Future Green Economy

February 27-28, 2019

The NWF EcoCareers Conference is the premier event for students and young professionals pursuing wildlife and sustainability careers! This online, green conference provides information on the latest EcoCareer trends from leading analysts and employers, clarifying career-enhancing credentials and academic offerings, and identifying the competencies employers seek in the green sector. Past speakers include top environmental voices, such as Philippe Cousteau Jr., Rue Mapp, Jigar Shah, and David Mizejewski. 2019 Keynote Speakers will be announced soon! Mark your calendars today so you don’t miss out; the conference will be held on February 27 and 28, 2019, and registration includes access to all conference archives. Certified EcoLeaders will receive free admission, so get your NWF EcoLeader certification applications in soon! Also, campus sponsorships are available, which includes conference access for the entire faculty and student body and much more!!

http://www.nwfecoleaders.org/conference

Take the Campus Pollinator Pledge and Help Wildlife Prep for Winter on Campus

By taking the Campus Pollinator Pledge, campuses are committing to protecting pollinators by providing healthy habitat through creation, restoration, and protection efforts. Campuses that take the pledge are also committing to engage and educate their campus community. As the summer winds down, here are a few tips on how to help wildlife prepare for winter in your campus habitat:

o Plant native berry-producing shrubs or trees on campus. This will attract cardinals, chickadees, and mockingbirds and ensure they have food throughout the winter. These birds do not fly south for the winter.

o Build a nesting box. Birds like the Purple Martin, found east of the Rockies, often nest near towns and cities in man-made birdhouses.

o Plant native spaces to provide habitat for wildlife this fall and winter. Need help identifying species native to your campus? Check out the Native Plant Finder.

Take the Campus Pollinator Pledge 

NWF EcoLeaders Young Professionals Bulletin

A listserv for young professionals in the conservation field with monthly bulletins sharing spotlights young professionals in the field, events, job listings, action items and more! If you’re interested in joining the listserv, please email cochranc@nwf.org. You can view archived issues of the monthly bulletin in the NWF EcoLeaders community, HERE.