Did You Know? Next Generation Leadership Institute Develops Conservation Leaders 08/25/2026
By Desiree Van Dyke, NACD Southwest Region Representative
The National Conservation Foundations’s (NCF) Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) is a year-long program that helps conservation district officials develop and polish their leadership skills. This program was created in 2019 to equip conservation district leaders with the skills they need to rise to leadership positions within NACD, their state associations, and other civic and non-profit groups.
Participants attend monthly virtual meetings focused on leadership, travel to three in-person meetings to put their new skills into action, and develop a capstone project focused on a topic of their choosing. While the program is intensive, alumni have completed NGLI while continuing to work and take care of their family.
What makes this program special is that individuals bring their personal experiences and challenges into the small group setting. This makes learning directly relevant to the work they are doing at home. Cohorts typically develop relationships with each other that continue well beyond the year-long program. They become a resource for one another, sharing experiences and lessons learned from their work in different parts of the country.
Steve Gilje, NACD Board Member for North Dakota, a member of this year’s cohort, knew the value of NGLI through his associations with past participants. “Seeing how they connected with their cohort and hearing about their experiences helped convince me to apply,” Gilje said. “I knew what I would be getting into and was excited about it.”
One lesson from NGLI is already helping Gilje in his work on boards. “The program taught me to slow down and recognize that people bring different perspectives and ways of communicating to the table,” he said. “Understanding those differences has helped me be more thoughtful in how I respond and more open to other points of view.”
Josh Smith, NACD Southwest Region Executive Board Member and 2022 NGLI alumni, said the program has had a significant impact on both his professional life and his role with NACD. He credits the skills he gained through NGLI with helping him obtain his current position managing an irrigation district. He also credits the program with helping him grow into his current leadership role with NACD.
Smith found the program’s government affairs training one of its most valuable components. During time in Washington, D.C., participants learned how to advocate effectively and communicate with legislators and committees. “They literally just taught us how to advocate and engage with policymakers,” Smith said.
Smith brought what he learned in NGLI back to his home district. The district used that knowledge to pursue new funding opportunities and grow from one contractor to four full-time employees. The expanded funding base has given the district the capacity to take on more conservation work.
The value of NGLI is evident in what participants do after completing the program. Its 37 graduates have taken on a variety of greater leadership roles within their districts, state associations, and NACD, while others have used what they learned to strengthen their careers and conservation work at home. NACD’s President Elect, Mark Masters and Second Vice President, Ryan Britt are both graduates of NGLI.
When asked whether NGLI is worthwhile for someone who is not necessarily looking to become an NACD leader, Smith was clear: “Absolutely. If you’re going to be doing anything involving advocacy or working with boards, state or national associations, or local government, I’d say it’s absolutely worthwhile.”
NGLI is part of the National Conservation Foundation, NACD’s sister organization, which supports conservation leadership development. “NCF saw the need to strengthen local conservation leadership and continues to support NGLI because investing in leaders today helps build the capacity needed for conservation tomorrow,” said Patricia Lardie, an NCF Board of Trustees member. “We’re proud of what the program has accomplished and the leaders it continues to develop.”
Interested in NGLI?
NGLI is open to any elected or appointed conservation district official in the United States or its territories. Current tuition is $1,200, with scholarships and payment plans available. The value of the program far exceeds the tuition payment. Along with the training, all travel expenses, meals, and lodging are covered for program participants. The application includes support from the applicant’s conservation district and state or territory association. Visit the National Conservation Foundation’s NGLI webpage for program, application, and cost information. The application for the 2027 NGLI Cohort will open on September 1, 2026.