Green Foothills is looking for creative, passionate, and curious changemakers who want to be more effective advocates for the natural environment. The Leadership Academy has been going strong since 2013, with over 200 alumni having gone through the program and stepping into positions of leadership where they use their advocacy skills to champion the protection of nature and help build up more equitable conservation movements.

The next Leadership Academy cohort will launch on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Participants meet once a month January through August to learn the ins-and-outs of effective environmental advocacy. We are currently planning for three sessions to be in person and the remaining sessions to be online.

In each session Green Foothills Advocates and expert speakers share their knowledge, which participants then apply to a campaign planning group project. Participants learn best practices of working with elected officials, ensuring inclusive community engagement, campaign strategizing, power mapping, and more.

Upon finishing the program, participants join an active and inspiring community of alumni who exercise their leadership skills to champion conservation and environmental justice. From running community groups and nonprofits, to participating in local land use commissions, to celebrating the role of historically marginalized communities in conservation, Leadership Academy alumni make waves in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties. Green Foothills assists the Leadership Academy alumni community with advancing their leadership capabilities by supporting their advancement into influential seats, and networking opportunities.

Scholarships available. We encourage all interested people to apply regardless of financial means. Nearly full and partial scholarships are available thanks to the financial support of the Knight Foundation, San Mateo County Health System, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Green Foothills’ members, and funding sources we are actively soliciting right now.

Learn more and apply today to Green Foothills’ Leadership Academy.