Inclusive conservation leadership is vital to the future of our hunting and fishing heritage. Our lands, waters, and wildlife face significant conservation challenges, and working towards effective solutions must draw on the creativity, expertise, and experience of conservation leadership that includes perspectives from people of all identities and backgrounds. Artemis supports women currently holding wildlife and conservation leadership positions and works to encourage and foster women to take on leadership roles. Together we will support the next chapter in conservation and help women ascend into local, state, regional, and national conservation leadership roles.
Sportswomen
Artemis is a resource for women in conservation leadership. Through our Artemis Conservation Leadership program, we provide learning opportunities, personal and professional guidance, and sponsorship of women in volunteer leadership roles, including nonprofit Boards of Directors and state, city, and county councils, boards and commissions. We foster a collaborative culture with ample opportunities for networking and relationship building among women holding and/or pursuing conservation leadership positions.
In February 2022, Artemis hosted our first annual Inspiring Women’s Leadership in Conservation program. This 5 hour day included presentations, panels, and small group conversations.
Artemis Leadership Series Panel: Stepping Up For Service
In this part of the Artemis Leadership Series, we talk with leaders from across the conservation community and dive into the following questions: What do boards actually need? How do you set off on a path for service? Conversation includes Non-Profit Boards and Public Boards. Panelists include, Lydia Parker, Executive Director, Hunters of Color; Judy Camuso, Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Flora Csontos, Director of Board and Council Appointments in Wisconsin from 2019-2021; and Camilla Simon, Executive Director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO).
Artemis Leadership Series Panel: Yes, You Do Have What It Takes
Facilitated by Brianna Jones Rich, NWF Board Member, this panel conversation provides insight into important foundational skills for effective board leadership. Featuring, Jana Waller – Commissioner to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Michelle Zimmerman – Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commissioner from 2012-2020, LiLi Wong – Board Member for Conservation Northwest, Kathy Hadley – Board Member Montana Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation, and Gloria Tom – Board Member National Wildlife Federation, Director for the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The History of Women in Conservation – Artemis Leadership Series 2022
The History of Women in Conservation: There have always been women who hunt, shoot, and fish. There have always been active sportswomen who have contributed to the preservation and conservation of our natural resources, even if their roles and their influence were not always documented, or even known. As we move forward, Samantha Pedder takes us on a look back to be inspired and to learn from the approaches of the women before us.
For more advice and insight from women currently serving in leadership roles, visit our YouTube Leadership Playlist »
Our Artemis Podcast Leadership Series will introduce you to dedicated and inspirational women working in all aspects of conservation leadership. This series provides insight into the leadership work they do and the approaches, practices, and mindsets that guide them.
- Ep 1: Stepping up for service
- Ep 2: Yes, you have what it takes
- Ep 3: Mentoring Women in Conservation Leadership with Dr. Jennifer James
- Ep 4: Looking to the Women Who Came Before with Dr. Winifred Kessler
- Ep 5: Board & Commission Appointments with Flora Csontos
- Ep 6: Conservation Wins with Kathy Hadley
- Ep 7: 'Convince Me' with Kristen Schnepp-Giger
- Ep 8: Conservation Life vs. Career Life with Phoebe Stoner
Sharenda Birts – WildHERness
Jana Waller – Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission
View the Podcast Listing on Apple Podcasts »
For more advice and insight from women currently serving in leadership roles, visit our YouTube Leadership Playlist »
The first step is knowing what opportunities are available! For state boards and commissions, we recommend reaching out to the person handling your Governor’s Board and Council appointments. For nonprofits, find an organization whose mission, work and people you believe in, and start letting them get to know you. Here are some current opportunities from Artemis friends and partners.
Mentorship of Conservation Leadership in Women: A Phenomenological Study by Dr. Jennifer James. A qualitative, phenomenological study conducted to explore the mentorship experiences of women who have served in a leadership role within conservation-based nonprofit organizations. View the Study »
We are always looking to elevate good work and connect women to valuable resources. If you have recommendations for articles, books, websites or trainings to support women as leaders, please share them with us by emailing artemis@nwf.org
Join our monthly meeting and connect virtually with serving and aspiring leaders to learn, troubleshoot, and connect. Register in advance for the Artemis Women in Conservation Leadership Learning Hour. Offered on the last Thursday of every month at 6pm Mountain/8pm Eastern
Stay updated on projects, news, and opportunities in hunting and fishing conservation
Organizations
A 2012 Center for Talent Innovation study shows that diverse leadership is associated with higher levels of innovation and success. Conservation efforts—if they are to remain relevant to the American public, and if they are to continue recruiting and retaining women hunters and shooters—need women in leadership roles. Artemis and our community of diverse sportswomen are prepared to do the work alongside our partners to directly address this need.
Building inclusive boards will require breaking the mold of ‘the way it’s always been done’, and approaching board recruitment and cultivation in new, creative ways. Artemis is a community of women hunters and anglers committed to conserving the future of our sporting heritage. Get connected to this vital network by posting board member and job opportunities and begin developing relationships with bold sportswomen creating fresh tracks for conservation.
Artemis is collecting existing materials and best management practices that are designed to support the development and operation of effective and inclusive boards. We are always looking to elevate good work and connect organizations to valuable resources. If you have recommendations, please share them with us by emailing artemis@nwf.org. Here’s a start.
Recruitment
Resources for widening your network and recruiting diverse volunteer leadership.
Inclusive Practices
Once you have a diverse board, how do you make sure it is inclusive?
- Black, S. A., Groombridge, J.J., & Jones, C.G. (2011, April). Leadership and conservation effectiveness: finding a better way to lead. Conservation Letters, 4(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00184.x
- Bruyere, B. L. (2015). Giving direction and clarity to conservation leadership. Conservation Letters, 8(5), 378-382. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12174
- Carbajal, J. (2018). Women and work: Ascending to leadership positions. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 28(1), 12–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2017.1387084
- Sullivan, T. K., & Syvertsen, A. K. (2019). Conservation leadership: A developmental model. Journal of Adolescent Research, 34(2), 140-166. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558417752638
- Decision Making for Equity and Inclusion: https://www.trec.org/resources/decision-making-for-equity-and-inclusion/
Internal Review
As part of Artemis Sportswomen’s ‘Inspiring Women’s Leadership in Conservation’ program, Artemis reviewed the board membership of national conservation organizations and state boards and recorded observed demographic information. The hope is that this review will provide baseline data of how many women are currently serving in volunteer conservation leadership positions and will be used to gauge the growth of the number of women serving in leadership positions and the effectiveness of leadership training, resources, and mentorship. Link below to see our review methodology. We encourage our partner organizations and states to join us in this data collection. Feel free to adapt our methodology for your organization’s purposes, and reach out to us with any questions.
