Winter 2026 Retreat, Santa Cruz
The winter retreat in Santa Cruz brought 2024 and 2025 Fellows together for a week of skill-building, collaboration, and place-based learning. The retreat centered on a three-day, highly interactive facilitation training focused on leading meetings and group processes in complex conservation contexts. Through hands-on practice and real-world case studies, Fellows strengthened practical skills in convening diverse stakeholders, navigating power dynamics and conflict, and designing effective, inclusive sessions.
Resources:
Training led by Leander Lacy
In addition to the training, the week included dedicated time to brainstorm around group projects (which resulted in a project spanning the two current cohorts!), and project updates from local Fellows Diego Ellis Soto and Reza Goljani Amirkhiz, who also helped co-host the retreat. Fellows enjoyed visits to Andrew Molera State Park and the Ventana Discovery Center in Big Sur, and the Younger Lagoon with Director Beth Howard, grounding discussions in local conservation efforts.
The retreat concluded with a UCSC conservation panel moderated by Diego and Reza, and a local government and conservation roundtable with California state representatives. The panel explored how conservation science is translated into real-world leadership, policy, and decision-making across academic, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government sectors in California. The discussion highlighted the opportunities and constraints of working within versus outside formal government structures, and how partnerships among scientists, NGOs, funders, and communities can shape durable conservation outcomes. The roundtable explored pathways into public service and policy roles, what day-to-day policy and decision-making processes look like in practice, and how environmental considerations enter real-world policy decisions. Participants included Lisette Jones, Field Representative for Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-28), Justin Cummings, Santa Cruz County Third District Supervisor, and Fred Keeley, City of Santa Cruz Mayor.
