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Our Philosophy and Approach

Our philosophy at the Institute is based on our knowledge that training and empowering people who care for the Earth and its inhabitants is an essential step in building an effective constituency for conservation.

The Institute is committed to broadening the base of environmental protection as well as the depth of commitment. From early sportsmen and bird watchers who sought to end the scourge of market hunting, to neighborhood activists who protect their communities against toxic chemical contamination, the movement has always been based on people acting on behalf of what they care most deeply about—preserving the planet they love for generations to come.

With this in mind, we strive to remove the roadblocks that sometimes prevent organizations like yours from getting down to the important business of making this world a better place for us all.

Vision:  Grassroots Democracy for the Planet

We seek a world in which each person can take responsibility for this endangered planet, working through environmental and conservation organizations that are strong and stable enough to achieve their goals.  These organizations cooperate well with each other, and build productive alliances with a broad and diverse range of allies.  They make effective and efficient use of the time, effort and donations that their supporters contribute, and provide support and opportunity for each person to take leadership for the Earth.

Core Values and Beliefs

We value people and organizations that care for and promote the enduring health and diverse richness of the Earth and her people.

The need to protect the Earth will continue for the foreseeable future.  We therefore place a high value on creating strong and healthy organizations that can carry out their missions over a long time, especially groups committed to working within their communities to foster civic action.

We believe a healthy ecosystem of organizations and leaders is needed within communities, states and regions.  We believe it is important to serve a wide range of types and sizes of groups within a geographic area.  We also believe it is important to promote networks, coalitions and cooperation that will build the broad base and connections the conservation community needs to create deep and lasting social change.

We believe that protecting the planet and human health requires leaders and groups to create inclusive and diverse participation, to respect and support one another, to work together strategically and to engage in a larger political and social context. 

The Institute’s work is influenced by theories and practices that support sound principles of adult learning, a systems approach to organizational development, popular education and research.  It is also influenced by our own hands-on learning with the conservation, environmental and other social change movements in the United States and abroad.  As we seek to model a positive learning environment, we are continually informed by testing theory against practical applications.

In our consultation and training work we place a high value on personal awareness, peer learning, and self-reflection. We value an open and consultative process.  Therefore, we believe that the best opportunities for success arise when people are engaged in participatory processes that draw upon their wisdom and collective experience and that offer high quality information.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Institute for Conservation Leadership does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religion in its employment, or the provision of programs and services.