What: UF/IFAS Extension Natural Resources Leadership Institute (NRLI) Class 25 Graduation Banquet
Where: Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville, Fl
When: Saturday, April 18, 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Media RSVP contact: Jamie Groh, Public Relations Specialist, (o) 352-294-3313, (c) 561-713-6822, jamieg@ufl.edu
About: The UF/IFAS Extension Natural Resources Leadership Institute (NRLI) has graduated over 650 alumni since its origination in 1998. On Saturday, April 18, the Fellows of Class 25 join the ranks at the NRLI Graduation Banquet presented by the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences.
“What NRLI does is build bridges and aim Floridians towards collaborative decision-making around complex natural resource issues,” said Joy Hazell, director of NRLI.
Over the course of eight months and a series of sessions held across the state, the institute educates natural resource professionals in skills, concepts, tools, and strategies related to collaborative decision making, conflict management, communication and negotiation.
“We don’t share with them how to go in and win an argument because that is often temporary,” said Hazell. “We teach them how to understand sources of conflict around a natural resource issue, build trust, manage that conflict productively, and create processes for collaborative decision making in natural resource issues.”
The experience culminates with a practicum in each of the Fellows’ organizations or communities for application of the critical leadership lessons learned.
The Class 25 Graduation Banquet, held this year from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, offers a recognition opportunity for each Fellow to highlight the skills they’ve gained and will apply across each of their communities.
“What makes 25 years and over 650 alumni throughout the state of Florida making differences across natural resource issues special,” said Hazell, “is the NRLI reputation and the shared sense of values, skills and the unique drive to lead and make change that our alumni carry with them.”
Attendees are asked to wear cocktail attire. Current and former Fellows as well as guests of Fellows, the NRLI project team and UF/IFAS leadership and faculty will be in attendance.
Members of the media interested in covering the event are asked to make arrangements ahead of time by contacting UF/IFAS public relations specialist Jamie Groh at jamieg@ufl.edu.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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