Felicity Burrows, Marine Conservation Specialist from The Nature Conservancy, was one of fifteen persons that participated in the Caribbean Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (CEWCL) Program launched in May 2012. This was the first leadership program ever to be implemented by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Each program participant was assigned to a project group that focused on sea turtles, trade, parrots, or marine mammals. Felicity was a member of the Sea Turtle Group better known as the Sea Turtle Action Team (STAT). STAT concentrated on developing a safety protocol to ensure field personnel safety. The Program was intensive and gave each participant the opportunity to exercise leadership, project planning, management, and communication skills. From May 5-9, 2014, participants assembled in Tobago at the Kariwak Village Resort for the Program’s final meeting i.e., for the class 2012-2014. At the meeting, participants presented their project demonstrating each project’s goals, objectives, activities performed, successes, and challenges experienced over the course of the two years. Each presentation was unique, detailed, and very inspiring. The Program’s mentors, advisors, and invited guests were very pleased with the projects that were developed and the strong willingness of the participants to continue their project’s efforts following the program’s official ending date.
As a young, aspiring conservation leader, I encourage others to consider participating in the next CEWCL training. It was a great learning experience and has helped me to enhance and develop a variety of skills that will be extremely valuable throughout my conservation journey.
Photo 1. Felicity Burrows, Marine Conservationist Specialist with The Nature Conservancy holding certificate of completion. Photo taken by Agnessa Lundy, The Nature Conservancy.
