570-245-8518 7 East Water St. Lock Haven, PA 17745

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As a graduate of the Wildlife Leadership Academy program you will receive:

  • An official document that acknowledges your time spent on community outreach.
  • A certificate that designates you as a Conservation Ambassador.
  • The opportunity to obtain three college credits through Cedar Crest College.

PLUS, you will be eligible to:

  • Apply to return to the program the following year as a youth mentor tuition free.
  • Attend a professional wildlife or fisheries conference.
  • Compete for college scholarships.
  • Attend college visit days to schools that have wildlife/fisheries and conservation programs.
  • Request letters of recommendation for college applications and job opportunities.
  • Continue with Advanced Conservation Ambassador Training in the Apprentice Program.
  • Join an Academy Alumni Network of over 1000 alumni professionals, including those in the wildlife, fisheries, and conservation fields.

Your journey to become a Conservation Ambassador begins by attending one of our 5-day residential (overnight) summer field schools. All field schools are held at Krislund Camp and Conference Center near Madisonburg, PA. Each of our field schools focus on a different wildlife or fish species. 

Click on the buttons below to explore our 2025 field school curriculum line up!

June 17-21

Focusing on white-tailed deer and the management of their habitat.

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June 24-28

Focusing on bass and the Susquehanna River watershed.

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July 8-12

Focusing on brook trout, macroinvertebrates, and cold water conservation.

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July 15-19

Focusing on the wild turkey and the management of their habitat.

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July 22-26

Focusing on bears and the management of their habitat.

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At each field school you will:

  • Learn hands-on about wildlife, habitat management and conservation in an enriching environment from over 20+ wildlife professionals from the PA Game Commission, the PA Fish and Boat Commission, and more,
  • Hone your leadership and communications skills and
  • Leave prepared to use these skills to become an ambassador for conservation in your community.

After field school, our dedicated Director of Outreach and Alumni Engagement will help you be successful with your community outreach by:

  • Giving you clear guidelines for how to complete your outreach.
  • Sending you monthly outreach opportunities only available to Ambassadors.
  • Being available to answers questions or help you by phone and/or email five days a week.


We are committed to ensuring equity in education for all students. No one should ever be prevented from engaging with the Academy because of barriers. We aim to ensure that if a student is accepted into the program because of their passion to become a Conservation Ambassador, we will work to reduce any barriers that may prevent them from attending.
  • Wildlife Leadership Academy was a wealth of information and experiences, many of which were hands on, and served to expand our knowledge of freshwater ecosystems, conservation, and environmental issues.

    Jonathan H.

  • Through this program my knowledge of leadership has expanded more than it ever could on my own. I’ve learned the importance of stepping out my comfort zone. This adventure has marked the beginning of a lifetime of conservation!

    Rachel N.

  • While at the field school, I learned more in a week more than I thought I could. Needless to say, WLA bucktails field school was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I recommend it to anyone who has a passion for wildlife.

    Beth K.