The 2021 ALPINE Summer Institute program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young professionals, to learn more about the theory and practice of large landscape conservation. The program will be staffed by experts in the field of land conservation from the Lincoln Institute, the Harvard Forest, the Highstead Foundation, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Starting this year, participants who successfully complete all course requirements will have the opportunity to earn 2 academic credits from UMass Amherst. Feel free to share this document with others that may be interested in this year’s Summer Institute.
The class size is limited to 12 participants and admissions are on a rolling basis. April 1 is the deadline to apply. The virtual sessions will take place on eight consecutive Wednesdays from 3-5 pm starting June 9. A potential long-weekend face-to-face meeting will be scheduled if possible.
The program is suitable for participants with a wide variety of academic backgrounds and levels of experience who are interested in learning more about large landscape conservation and in becoming a member of the next generation of land conservation leaders.
THE 2021 SUMMER INSTITUTE WILL INCLUDE:
- Eight online sessions
- Presentations by leaders and practitioners in land conservation and in organizations such as the Harvard Forest, the International Land Conservation Network, the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
- Writing assignments and reflections
- Leadership development exercises
- An opportunity to consider how the land conservation movement can make progress towards the goals of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility
- If health and travel circumstances allow, an in-person long weekend experience that will allow participants to become familiar with an ongoing large-landscape conservation initiative in New England.
At the conclusion of the program, participants will make a capstone presentation on a large landscape conservation initiative of interest to them.
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
- Interest and/or experience in land conservation issues
- Commit to attending all sessions of the program
- Provide their own transportation to and from the Summer Institute session location if it is possible to meet in person
There will be no cost to the students for instruction associated with the ALPINE Summer Institute or for food, lodging, program transportation if we are able to meet in person for the weekend. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate from the ALPINE Summer Institute.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
In order to apply, candidates will complete the application online, submit a resume and provide a reference. Admission will be determined on a rolling basis by the April 1, 2021 deadline. The number of participants is limited to 12 so we encourage interested individuals to apply as soon as possible. Candidates will be chosen based on 1) their interest in the field of land conservation and the potential to make a significant contribution to land protection efforts in the US and the world, and 2) their apparent capacity to benefit from the ALPINE Summer Institute.
For more information on the ALPINE Summer Institute, please contact Marianne Jorgensen, ALPINE Program Coordinator at mjorgensen@lincolninst.edu, or Jim Levitt, ALPINE Program Director, at jlevitt@lincolninst.edu. Additional information on the course through the University of Massachusetts University Without Walls and applying for academic credit associated with participation in the ALPINE Summer Institute can be found here. Please note that for academic credit, there will be a separate application form to be submitted to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There will also be a separate fee charged by the University of Massachusetts associated with such credits.
