06-17-2008, 11:11 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Emmett Keyser, S.D. Game, Fish and Parks assistant director of wildlife, has graduated from the prestigious National Conservation Leadership Institute.
<br>The NCLI is an intensive seven-month nationwide leadership training program developed to address one of this country's most significant conservation challenges - preparing and retaining a new generation of conservation leaders. Within the next 10 years nearly one-third of the nation's natural resource leaders will retire.<br>
<br>Keyser was one of 36 candidates chosen to participate in the 2008 class, the second of this annual training program. Candidates are selected based on their previous work experience and for their potential to build effective coalitions, lead organizational change and deliver results.<br>
<br>"The Institute is by no measure only a training program," NCLI Executive Director Sally Guynn said. "It is a unique comprehensive learning experience designed to challenge assumptions, teach skills, facilitate networking and strengthen confidence while preparing conservation leaders for the conservation challenges that lie ahead."<br>
<br>Keyser described the opportunity to be part of this program as daunting. "To be chosen to take part in the institute and be taught by a team of world-class leadership instructors was truly a great honor," he said. "One of the biggest benefits was the opportunity to network with an elite group of conservation leaders from across the country."<br>
<br>Keyser added that NCLI afforded a practical understanding of how the concepts of adaptive leadership can be used in most agency problem-solving situations.<br>
<br>"The fact that Emmett was chosen to participate in the National Conservation Leadership Institute is a compliment to Game, Fish and Parks," GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk said. "This training will not only allow Emmett to grow as a leader in our organization, but also develop professional relationships with other leaders that will bring additional perspectives on conservation challenges we and other fish and wildlife agencies find ourselves faced with every day."<br>
<br>Keyser earned BS and MS degrees in wildlife and fisheries from South Dakota State University and has been employed with GFP since August 1983. He became the Division of Wildlife's assistant director of operations in 1989. In his current position, he oversees more then 170 employees.<br>
<br>Primary funding and technical support for the National Conservation Leadership Institute is provided by The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, The Weatherby Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
<br>The NCLI is an intensive seven-month nationwide leadership training program developed to address one of this country's most significant conservation challenges - preparing and retaining a new generation of conservation leaders. Within the next 10 years nearly one-third of the nation's natural resource leaders will retire.<br>
<br>Keyser was one of 36 candidates chosen to participate in the 2008 class, the second of this annual training program. Candidates are selected based on their previous work experience and for their potential to build effective coalitions, lead organizational change and deliver results.<br>
<br>"The Institute is by no measure only a training program," NCLI Executive Director Sally Guynn said. "It is a unique comprehensive learning experience designed to challenge assumptions, teach skills, facilitate networking and strengthen confidence while preparing conservation leaders for the conservation challenges that lie ahead."<br>
<br>Keyser described the opportunity to be part of this program as daunting. "To be chosen to take part in the institute and be taught by a team of world-class leadership instructors was truly a great honor," he said. "One of the biggest benefits was the opportunity to network with an elite group of conservation leaders from across the country."<br>
<br>Keyser added that NCLI afforded a practical understanding of how the concepts of adaptive leadership can be used in most agency problem-solving situations.<br>
<br>"The fact that Emmett was chosen to participate in the National Conservation Leadership Institute is a compliment to Game, Fish and Parks," GFP Secretary Jeff Vonk said. "This training will not only allow Emmett to grow as a leader in our organization, but also develop professional relationships with other leaders that will bring additional perspectives on conservation challenges we and other fish and wildlife agencies find ourselves faced with every day."<br>
<br>Keyser earned BS and MS degrees in wildlife and fisheries from South Dakota State University and has been employed with GFP since August 1983. He became the Division of Wildlife's assistant director of operations in 1989. In his current position, he oversees more then 170 employees.<br>
<br>Primary funding and technical support for the National Conservation Leadership Institute is provided by The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, The Weatherby Foundation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.