NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2010

ODNR Division of Wildlife Employee Graduates from Award-winning Leadership Institute

COLUMBUS, OH – Dave Scott, a veteran employee with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife, recently graduated from the National Conservation Leadership Institute. The Franklin County resident and wildlife management administrator was one of 36 professionals across the country selected to participate in this award-winning eight-month program.

Nearly one-third of today’s natural resource leaders are retiring.  According to research conducted in 2004, about 77 percent or more of state fish and wildlife senior leadership will retire by 2015, and more than half of federal conservation leaders even sooner.

Executive director of the Institute, Dr. Sally Guynn, said, “Training alone is insufficient to develop the extraordinary leadership called for in our uncertain times.  The Institute is a unique, comprehensive learning experience designed to challenge assumptions, teach skills, facilitate high-trust networking, and strengthen confidence.  It is a remarkable experience to prepare extraordinary leadership capacity for the future.”

“To be chosen from among conservation professionals nominated across the nation to take part in the fourth annual class of the Institute is a great honor,” said Dave Scott.  “Not only did I have the opportunity to meet and learn alongside many talented conservation professionals from around the country, but our time together fostered lasting friendships and a support network for addressing conservation issues in the future.”

Fellows learn from some of the nation’s most influential conservation leaders and experts.  Last fall, the 36 fellows participated in the Institute’s intense 11-day residency at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.  In May, they reconvened at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, to present the results of their six-month leadership challenge projects where they individually experimented with their training from the fall and carried out real, in-the-trenches applications in their respective organizations.

Employed with the Division of Wildlife for 21 years, Scott was named executive administrator for wildlife management and research in January, 2010.  He is responsible for coordinating the division’s research, surveying and monitoring of the state’s native wildlife.

Scott is an honors program graduate from The Ohio State University and has a master of science in wildlife management from Pennsylvania State University. He resides in Dublin with his wife, Laurie.