Recruiting for Class XXI
by Jonathan Dain, NRLI Director
In summer 2003, I attended a barbeque organized by my wife’s unit at the University of Florida. I knew almost no one and recall feeling somewhat awkward. I ended up chatting with forestry professor and his wife who were sitting in lawn chairs away from the focal point of festivities. They were very kind and we engaged in simple small talk about weather, children, etc. At some point in the conversation, they asked me what I did, and I explained that I was teaching a class at UF and working with my former advisor on a project linked to natural resource management in South America. I also made an off-hand comment about wishing that: a) I had some formal training in conflict resolution, and b) I knew more about what was going on here in Florida. Both were true, but I assumed that it would be of little interest to them – again, more small talk. Instead, Dr. Alavatapti* looked at me and asked, “Do you know about the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute?”. I’m certain that my facial expression told him no, so he briefly described a UF program focused on Florida natural resource issues and policies that also provided conflict management training. I recall being intrigued and hearing him say “you should look into it; give me a call and I can provide you with contact information”. Some months later, I found myself pulling up to a motel in Flamingo, Florida (inside Everglades National Park – the motel no longer exists) for the first session of NRLI Class IV. That conversation with Dr. Alavatapti changed my life.
This coming week we will be releasing our Class XXI (2021-22) schedule and are asking for your help in recruiting. All of you know someone who, like me, could benefit from NRLI. Who have you met that comes to mind? Who have you interacted with that could bring new experiences and new perspectives to NRLI? Where do you see a need for someone trained in collaborative leadership and problem solving? Whose perspective could be broadened through better exposure to this large and diverse state and by getting to know people from outside their organizations? We ask that you reach out to those people and tell them about your experience, explain why you think they would be a good candidate and encourage them to apply. If they have questions, have them contact us. If your organization has a system in place for selecting candidates and the person you are thinking of is internal, have them speak to their supervisor or whoever oversees the selection process. We have a great line up of locations and topics for next year’s class so please help us recruit a great group of people to learn from them - and from each other. Who would you like to be a part of your NRLI network?
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*Now a distinguished Dean at Auburn University, I am still grateful to Dr. Janaki Alavalapati
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8-Month Flagship Program | Session 4 |
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A "Powerful" Facilitation
By Buck Carpenter and Jorge Guevara, NRLI Class XX Fellows
The art of facilitation, the use of power and few key quotes made up some of the highlights of this past NRLI session, leaving the fellows with a sense of accomplishment as we learned how to effectively manage these concepts and efficiently implement them in our daily routines. As with many things in NRLI, the concepts that made up the framework of this session's agenda also found their way into demonstration by the NRLI instructors whose masterful use of these techniques made the session educational, impressionable, inspiring and unforgettable! Class XX has had the unique opportunity to expand these concepts a little bit further due to the extensive use of technology in response to the pandemic. Safety and protocol measures have pushed the sessions to evolve in such a way that has allowed the fellows to expand the skillsets and in NRLI fashion, find new ways to lead from the front.
Among the many highlights of the session, the fellows enjoyed more time to get to know each other better; including an activity that allowed us to showcase an instance where if we had the opportunity to invite someone to dinner (from any time period), who that would be and why. This exercise gave feet to the concepts that we have learned, in that the fellows were able to employ new techniques to expound upon the defining impressions of the many dinner guest choices. Additionally, as a matter of personal reflection, the fellows were able to internalize the concepts of the many varieties of power in an activity that asked us to examine moments when the power was in our hands and the times in which power seemed elusive. These exercises allowed for some thought-provoking learning and ultimately, the reception of a "powerful" lesson!
Throughout the session, and indeed throughout this fellowship, there have been underlying themes that have directed the journey. One such tenant has been participation. NRLI employs a hands-on approach to learning that recognizes the importance of participation both individually and as a member of a larger group. This participation is key to engraving the NRLI learning objectives into our personal leadership styles. A creative and engaging way to encourage maximum participation has been brought into focus to Class XX through the use of facilitation. Although the previous sessions have employed the use of facilitation as a tool, session four has taken this concept and put it in the foreground underlining its importance in the curriculum. The NRLI fellows were given many opportunities to encourage participation through the use of facilitation from within during the many breakout group experiences.
Session four complimented this NRLI year as it introduced many concepts that will be built upon in the coming sessions, setting the stage for some creative engagement and unique perspectives from the fellows in the near future. Armed with a newfound technical prowess, stronger networking and communications skills and a driving desire to achieve more, Class XX is excited for the next "powerful" NRLI facilitation!
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Florida Park Service Teams Up With NRLI for Online Instructor Training
Many departments within the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are transitioning to online learning in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. To prepare instructors for this transition, NRLI partnered with the Florida Parks Service to offer three sets of intensive 2-day trainings to provide Ranger Academy instructors, meeting facilitators, and others within their organization with the basic concepts, skills and tools required for effective, participatory online training.
Rob Barret, Program Manager of Interpretive Services for the Division of Recreation and Parks reports that, "Recently, the Florida Park Service held its first ever Virtual Park Managers and Assistant Park Managers Meeting. With 200 attendees, 10 presenters, multiple breakout rooms and several engagement tools, any number of things could have gone wrong. However, thanks to the training skills of the NRLI team, we were prepared to face the challenge. The tools acquired by through Online Instructor Training helped seasoned presenters and instructors to repurpose and restyle their content to be delivered in a virtual setting. By focusing on Adult Learning Styles and using virtual engagement, he now have attendees looking forward to virtual meetings and trainings.
We have used these tools to continue training across other program areas, so that COVID response and other unforeseen obstacles do not and will not inhibit us from meeting our strategic objectives."
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Getting to Know Class XX Fellows |
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Alicia Betancourt
Director, Monroe County Extension, UF/IFAS
Alicia Betancourt is the University of Florida IFAS, Monroe County Extension Director. She is a Community Development Agent III. Alicia has a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on sustainable development. She is also a Certified Family and Consumer Science Educator. Since 2006, Mrs. Betancourt has been working with local governments on climate, energy and sustainability. Alicia works with UF on the Sea Grant climate group on educational programs and with the Association of Climate Change Officers on certification programs. Some of the efforts she has worked on include; Southeast Florida Climate Compact technical work groups, Community Voices Informed Choices and Climate Smart Floridians.
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Vincent Vitale
Education Specialist, White Oak Conservation
Vincent Vitale has been the Education Specialist at White Oak Conservation since 2016. From an undergraduate background in environmental and political science, Vincent sought a career path that maximized his enthusiasm for engaging youth in the outdoors and environmental education.
His employment at White Oak Conservation has granted the opportunity to learn from conservation professionals responsible for advancing biodiversity initiatives in range countries while recognizing social, economic and political realities. The core of Vincent's work revolves around translating such information to local K-16 audiences to broaden their horizons to what conservation looks like in the 21st century and help them develop a conservation ethic themselves.
Moving forward, Vincent looks to utilize his academic and professional experience to tackle regional conservation issues and seek sustainable outcomes for the collective betterment of people, wildlife, and natural resources.
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Class XX Fellows & Schedule |
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Alicia Betancourt Monroe County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension
Buck Carpenter Owner/Operator, Southern Pioneer Farms, LLC
Nicole Casuso Biological Scientist IV, Division of Plant Industry, FDACS
Mysha Clarke Assistant Professor of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, UF
Jason Davison Director of Field Services, Florida Farm Bureau Federation
Jorge Guevara Forest Hydrologist, U.S. Forest Service
Madeline Hart Environmental Consultant, FDACS
Susana Hervas Postdoctoral Research Associate, UF
Sandra Oxenrider Land Resource Specialist, St Johns River Water Management District
Dawn Ritter Natural Resource Manager, Highlands County Board of County Commissioners
Michael Simmons Natural Resource Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Brandon Smith Environmental Specialist, Brevard County Natural Resources Mgmt Dept
Darlene Velez Water Resources Chief, Suwannee River Water Management District
Vincent Vitale Conservation Education Specialist, White Oak Conservation Foundation
Allyson Webb Senior Resource Manager, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Florida Audubon
Yilin Zhuang Regional Specialized Agent, Water Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
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