Water Leaders Academy

First Nebraska Water Leaders Academy Class Graduates
Participants from across the state celebrated the conclusion of the first year of the Water Leaders Academy at their final session in Lincoln on January 28. Fifteen graduates, representing government, law, business and agriculture, completed the program. Programs were held in Lincoln, Nebraska City, McCook, Ponca State Park and Scottsbluff, giving participants a wide range of on-site experiences with water projects and exposure to various policies that govern water in the state. Each session also included in-depth discussions about leadership

From left: Doug Saathoff, Trumbull; Michelle Koch, York; John Thom, Hastings; Kristi Boswell, Omaha; Carey Grell, Lincoln; Tracy McConnell, North Bend. Back row: Raoul Johnson, Lincoln; Matt Lukasiewicz, Kearney; Brad Dunbar, LaVista; Rick Eades, Lincoln; David Kracman, Lincoln; Not pictured: Brian Bruckner, Norfolk; Lindsay Snyder, Scottsbluff; Carol Hoffman, Juniata; Rod Zessin, Madison.
Congratulations!

The Water Futures Partnership-Nebraska Water Leaders Academy is a one year program that identifies community leaders and educates them about water issues and proven leadership skills. The program prepares participants to take active, cooperative approaches to decision making about water resources issues. Leading stakeholders and top policy making trainers serve as program facilitators and mentors.

Download the 2012 Water Leaders Academy brochure HERE

Criteria for Acceptance

• Commitment to understand Nebraska water issues.
• An interest in seeking leadership roles on public boards, commissions and water policy groups.
• Commitment to the community through proven voluntary activites

Participant requirements

This leaders program seeks early to mid-career professionals with interests in water resources, production agriculture, business, fishing, recreation or environmental issues. The prgram involves a time commitment from the participant which must be assured by the participant and his or her employer.

Class members will be required to:

• Commit to attend six 1½ days of sessions. Each will commence on Friday afternoon and conclude by evening on Saturday.
• Session locations will vary across the state and will include several tours of water facilities.
• Sessions will be scheduled every two months, the schedule will be set for the entire year-long program with confirmed dates and locations.
• Each participant will be required to participate in producing a team project about water related topics developed from experiences in the Academy.

What You Need to Know

GOAL:

The Water Leaders Academy will provide an opportunity for Nebraskans who demonstrate an interest in water and related natural resources an opportunity to broaden their knowledge. Candidates will learn about Nebraska water laws, the political structures within Nebraska that have responsibility to manage water and related natural resources and the beneficial uses of water including domestic, agriculture, industrial, fish, wildlife and recreation.

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify men and women who have demonstrated leadership skills and who wish to enhance those skills in the water and natural resources arena.
• Encourage those persons to develop their scientific and political knowledge about water and related natural resources.
• Provide training materials and program presentations that will instill sound and accurate information about efficient, economical and beneficial uses of Nebraska's water and related natural resources.
• Provide broad based educational experiences and presentations to develop and enhance leadership and critical thinking skills.
• Encourage and assist participants to become actively involved with entities at the local, regional, state and national levels.
• Develop an ongoing program that incorporates multi-disciplinary educational and leadership programs to assist future leaders in water and natural resources management for now and the future.