In September, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) kicked off a brand new program for high school and college students – the Edgar Veillon Conservation Leadership Corps (EV-CLC). Students from around the state were selected to participate in training program focused on conservation policy and leadership development. Through this program, LWF will provide the tools necessary for students to gain an understanding of Louisiana’s rich conservation legacy and an appreciation for the importance of advocacy in shaping conservation policy.
Our inaugural EV-CLC class met Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Louisiana Sea Grant building for a session focused on conservation leadership. LWF thanks our presenters from taking time out of their busy schedules to help us make our first session a success. Presenters included Dr. Bobby Soileau (LSU AgCenter), Dr. Robert Twilley (Louisiana Sea Grant), Karen Gautreaux (The Nature Conservancy), Dr. Virginia Burkett (USGS), Dr. Bob Stewart (LWF Board member/EV-CLC Chair), and Rebecca Triche (LWF Executive Director).
The 2018-2019 class of the Edgar Veillon Conservation Leadership Corps are:
Chandler Ancar, Makayla Baham, Aimee Bajoie, Shelby Brundige, Saheba Cuccia, Caitlin Derksen, Sydney Finn, Shelby Francis, Priya Gilman, Natalie Lafont, Sloan Livaccari, Natalie Matherne, Tess Morton, Eduardo Paternostro, and Rosalind Remsen.
Over the course of the academic year, the students will participate in four sessions learning about conservation history, policy, advocacy and leadership. The program will conclude with students presenting resolutions on topics of conservation concern to the LWF Board of Directors at their annual convention in August 2019. LWF’s Stacy Ortego coordinates the program with the help of a volunteer committee which includes Bob Stewart (Chairman), Ray Bordelon, Zac Burson, Barney Callahan, Paul Coreil, Marty Floyd, Willie Fontenot, Larry Raymond and Warren Singer.