Alabama’s Emerging Leaders in Conservation Initiative 07/13/2026
By Natalie Stewart, Communications & Public Relations Specialist, Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee, and Courtney Curenton-Baker, NACD Director of Membership
Recognizing that the future of conservation depends on strong local leadership, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) launched the Emerging Leaders in Conservation (ELC) Initiative in January of 2025 to prepare the next generation of conservation leaders. The two-year leadership development program equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and professional relationships needed to strengthen soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs), deepen collaboration among conservation partners, and ensure Alabama’s locally led conservation system continues to thrive for years to come.
Following the success of its inaugural class, SWCC is preparing to welcome a second cohort. Applications are open to Alabama SWCD supervisors, advisors, district administrative coordinators, and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) employees with fewer than 10 years of experience in their current role.
As the initiative gained momentum, SWCC Chairman Charles Holmes underscored its importance, stating, “This program is extremely important to our organization. We need these younger generations to rise up and get involved for the sustainment of our mission. We all need each other here to continue the legacy of soil and water conservation. The candidates chosen for this program are so promising for this task. I am already proud of the work they are doing.”
Cohort members gather quarterly for immersive training that extends well beyond the classroom. Through sessions on governance, public policy, strategic communication, media relations, business etiquette, and organizational leadership, they develop the practical skills needed to lead effective, sustainable districts and build stronger partnerships.
Team-building activities, peer learning, and networking opportunities connect participants with each other and with conservation professionals from across Alabama, creating lasting relationships that will continue long after the formal program concludes. Along the way, they gain confidence in engaging landowners, working with elected officials, communicating the value of conservation, and guiding their districts through future opportunities and challenges.
This fall, the inaugural class, consisting of nine SWCD Supervisors, two Advisors, and one District Administrative Coordinator, will graduate from the program. They will return to their communities with new ideas, stronger leadership abilities, expanded professional networks, and a deeper understanding of Alabama’s conservation delivery system. The benefits extend beyond those to their individual districts, strengthening the partnerships that support producers, communities, and conservation efforts across the state.
These graduates, along with those who will follow in future cohorts, represent the future of Alabama’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Together, they ensure that the torch of conservation leadership is passed to a new generation of capable, committed leaders who are well-equipped to preserve and advance the legacy of voluntary, locally led conservation.
To learn more about the Emerging Leaders in Conservation Initiative and the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, visit https://alabamasoilandwater.gov/elc/
Tags: southeast region