Wildlife Leadership Academy passes torch to next generation
Wildlife Leadership Academy passes torch to next generation
By Tyler Frantz
If any doubt remained in the future potential of our modern-day youth, it was quickly erased after spending a day at the Wildlife Leadership Academy’s “Ursids Field School” near State College, PA.
Invited by WLA Executive Director, Michele Kittell, to see firsthand what the academy is all about, I arrived at Penn State’s Civil Engineering Lodge to a well-organized, friendly, collegiate-level atmosphere. Two high school-aged registrars greeted me at the door, before the young program assistant, Elisabet Bjanes (currently working on her Ph.D in cellular biology), briefed me on the day’s activities. “Yesterday, the group dissected illegally poached and road killed bear carcasses to learn about their internal organ structures and biology,” Bjanes said. Right now, the group is in class with PSU’s Professor Sanford and Kutztown’s Professor Sacchi learning about plants and forest ecology.”
“Later this morning, there’s a field walk, and then the PA Game Commission’s Lead Bear Biologist, Mark Ternent, is bringing a live-trapped bear to anesthetize, process and tag… that is, if his field bios caught any overnight. Fingers crossed,” she said.
After this most unique but incredible welcome, I hiked a forested hillside with Director Kittell, to learn more about her program’s mission.
“The purpose of WLA is to develop Conservation Ambassadors who gain extensive knowledge about wildlife, fisheries and conservation, leadership experience, and communication skills,” Kittell said. “They will become the future voices for our resources.” “WLA is designed for motivated students ages 14 to 17 with an interest in wildlife and/or fisheries conservation. The students are selected through a nomination process to attend the 5-day residential summer field schools, which currently focus on white-tailed deer, brook trout, ruffed grouse, black bear and bass,” she said.
As with all field schools, the Ursids (bear-focused) program consisted of 24 students and four adult mentors- teachers from Bucks, Lehigh, Adams and Chester Counties- who also gained new knowledge to share in their respective classrooms.
The groups were divided into four teams of five students, plus one returning ambassador to serve as team leader. Receiving intensive instruction on species-related information such as food, habitat and conservation, as well as leadership training, the teams also competed in a series of knowledge and skill-based tasks throughout the week.
Prior to Mr. Ternent’s presentation on the history of bear management, I caught up with Eli DePaulis, a 3-year veteran of WLA, who previously served as team leader but returned this year as a volunteer. According to him, the field schools are so much more than resume builders.
“It’s like one big family,” DePaulis explained. “All the instructors are here because they love what they do and want to help the next generation. It’s like a dream being able to ask the experts questions, get college and career advice, and learn so many new and fascinating things every year. I love being able to give back to the program that provided so much for me.”
Part of Kittell’s vision is that alumni return to help train new ambassadors in subsequent years and go on to serve as contacts in the field.
“I wanted this to be a sustainable program and have our students reinvest their time and talents,” Kittell said. “Part of earning Certified Conservation Ambassador status includes completing outreach projects centered around education, service, media engagement, media arts and outdoor mentorship. The payoff is a letter of recommendation, potential college credits and premier access to an incredible network of alumni and professionals.”
One of those active professionals is Dr. Gary Alt, who spent 25 years running PA’s black bear management program and 5 years as head deer biologist. He traveled back to Pennsylvania from his California residence each of the past ten years to serve as an instructor and curriculum coordinator for WLA field schools.
“It is incredibly rewarding when you are on the far end of your career, rather than the near end, to come back and pass the baton to the next generation,” Alt said. “When you watch these kids for a week, it is remarkable what they are capable of doing, which gives me a lot of hope for the future.”
“In 100 hours of instruction, they learn so much, including the fact that they can accomplish way more than they ever thought possible. It is an intense schedule, but there is cohesion in the groups, and the kids have fun as they find success. By the end of the week, they realize their potential and start to dream.”
“They see a handful of professionals they can model their careers after and begin thinking about their own future paths. They learn how to network and how to make a difference. It’s amazing how big of an impact a small group of people can make when they work together,” Alt said. In speaking with multiple returning alumni, the academy’s long-lasting impact became clear.
“This changed my life,” said Bjanes, who experienced the roles of ambassador, assistant team leader, intern, volunteer and program coordinator over the past nine years. “WLA taught me how to be a leader- that leadership is more than just one person. It is about teamwork and serving a greater purpose.”
“That’s why this is my favorite week of the year. There are so many new things to learn about the different species, and the people teaching and volunteering have become a second family to me. The connections and relationships built through WLA have been priceless,” Bjanes said.
Take for example DePaulis, who formed a special bond with Instructor Kim VanFleet, who teaches at Dickinson College. Beyond field schools, DePaulis participated in bird surveys, owl banding and even guest lectured in VanFleet’s college course. Together, the two are collaborating on a book about the Natural History of Threatened and Endangered Species in Pennsylvania.
“They say education is more than filling a vessel, it is lighting a fire,” DePaulis said. “That’s what WLA does for all of us. It lights a fire.” WLA is a cooperative initiative involving state agencies and conservation organizations administered by the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education, whose mission is to connect people, nature and the community.
For more information, contact Institute Director, Michele Kittell, at mkittell@piceweb.org or (570) 245-8518 or Program Coordinator, Katie Cassidy at kcassidy@piceweb.org or (570) 939-5109. You can also connect with the Academy online at www.PICEweb.org or facebook.com/wildlifeleadershipacademy.
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