Fellowship host application

The Scholars for Conservation Leadership is a career and leadership development program which aims to expand opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in natural resource management and conservation. While not a criterion for selection, members of underrepresented socio-cultural or geographic groups, including Black or African American, Native American or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Latin American or Latine, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people or first generation college students are all strongly encouraged to apply. The 2025 cohort reflects a diversity of geographies, identities and areas of interest. Since 2019, the program has brought together a cohort of Scholars from across the country to attend Rally, with the opportunity for one Scholar to receive a year-long paid fellowship at a land trust of their choosing.

The selection of our Scholars and Fellow are highly competitive processes. The 2025 cohort and selected Fellows all share a commitment to centering communities in conservation and vision for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive land conservation future. The Land Trust Alliance’s community-centered conservation department is proud to support this program in service of advancing this vision across the land conservation sector.

Applications to host a fellow for 2025 have closed.

One-year fellowship period to begin post-June 2025; specific start and end dates to be determined by the Fellow and selected land trust.

• The Fellow will receive an annual salary of $50,000-$60,000. The precise amount will be determined by the selected land trust and Land Trust Alliance. The Alliance, with support from the U.S. Forest Service will provide $50,000 toward the fellow’s salary. A match of $10,000 or housing during the fellowship period is required by the selected land trust. The Alliance will reimburse up to $7,600 in benefits for the fellow, in addition to the $50,000 salary. All other costs, including equipment, overhead or benefits are the responsibility of the host land trust.

• The objective of the fellowship is two-fold: (1) have the Fellow gain on-the-job experience in natural resource management and conservation, and (2) provide an opportunity for a land trust to serve as a career development host.

• Current member in good standing with the Land Trust Alliance.

• A commitment to community-centered conservation and equitable and inclusive practices reflected in the organization’s mission, values, programmatic areas, and board and staff training.

• A supervisor that will orient, supervise and manage the Fellow during the entire fellowship period. This supervisor will also be responsible for identifying, outlining and managing projects and tasks assigned to the Fellow

• 1-2 options for projects that the Fellow will be required to complete during the fellowship period that are in line with the Fellow’s interest and support their career development goals.

• Quarterly updates and reporting to the Land Trust Alliance and USFS on progression of fellowship.