570-245-8518
7 East Water St. Lock Haven, PA 17745
Join Wildlife Leadership Academy on November 1st for a special 20th Anniversary celebration honoring two decades of engaging and empowering young conservation leaders. Gather with alumni, families, partners, and friends for an afternoon at the historic Rowland Theatre featuring the premiere of a film celebrating the Academy’s story, impact, and the people who made it possible.
Our Mission
The mission of the Wildlife Leadership Academy is to engage and empower high school age youth to become Conservation Ambassadors to ensure a sustained wildlife, fisheries and natural resource legacy for future generations.
Our Programs
A year-round program, the Academy trainings begin with a rigorous period of residential programming that focus on a special topic in conservation that teaches about ecology, recreation, as well as leadership skills development and continues with community outreach through education, service, media engagement, creative arts, and outdoor mentorship.
Conservation Advocate Training
Stepping Stones Program + Outreach
LEARN MOREAn introductory weekend experience for those just getting their feet wet in conservation, wildlife/fisheries biology, or outdoor recreation!
Conservation Ambassador Training
Field School + Outreach
learn moreA five-day immersive field school where students dive deep into the management of a wildlife or fish species and their habitat.
Advanced Conservation Ambassador Training
Exclusive opportunities such as the Apprentice Program and Advanced Educational Training weekends for our alumni!
learn moreNominate a Teen
Academy students gain extensive knowledge about wildlife, fisheries, and conservation plus develop leadership and communication skills. Do you know of a student who would benefit from our programs? Learn more about the nomination process today!
Invest in the Next Generation
Your support will help us fulfill our mission to engage and empower high school age youth to become Conservation Ambassadors to ensure a sustained wildlife, fisheries and natural resource legacy for future generations.
NextGen Blog
The NextGen Blog gives voice to the next generation of conservation leaders. Written by Academy students, alumni, and staff, each post shares experiences, lessons, and inspiration from the field and beyond. Click here for more stories written by the next generation!
Finding My Place in Conservation: How WLA Changed My Life
October 9, 2026
By Katie Mace
This week’s blog was written by Sama, a Bucktails alum. Sama shares how her experience this past summer at the Wildlife Leadership Academy changed her life.
WLA Answers Your Most-Searched Questions
October 3, 2026
By Katie Mace
We asked our Executive Director to answer some of the questions people commonly Google about WLA (all in 90 seconds or less).
Outreach Highlight – Hazel’s Summer as a Conservation Ambassador
September 26, 2026
By Katie Mace
Hazel, an Ursids student, turned her summer into a conservation journey that stretched from the wildlife rehab centers of Philadelphia to the tide pools of the Pacific Northwest.