Kupu seeking Kauaʻi applicants for conservation leadership program
Participants of the Kupu Leadership Development Program in 2022 work with the state Department of Forestry and Wildlife at Polihale State Park on Kauaʻi. Photo: Kupu- The Kupu Conservation Leadership Development Program is for recent high school graduates, college graduates and young professionals who are looking to establish a career in conservation. Photo: Kupu
- Participants of the Kupu Leadership Development Program in 2021 work at Kīlaueau Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauaʻi. Photo: Kupu
Nonprofit Kupu is seeking applicants from Kauaʻi for its Conservation Leadership Development Program, which focuses on developing the next generation of environmental stewards.
The program is for recent high school graduates, college graduates and young professionals who are looking to establish a career in conservation. The deadline to apply for the 6- and 11-month programs is April 7, 2023.
The next half-term cohort begins in June 2023 and runs until December 2023. The next full-term cohort begins in September 2023 and ends in October 2024. Participants will be matched with a single conservation host site for the duration of the program, where they will learn and serve alongside conservation experts.
Host sites are available on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Moloka‘i, American Samoa, Guam, CNMI Islands, Rota and Saipan. This extensive network of partner sites offers exposure to a variety of fields, including ornithology, botany, natural and aquatic resource management, biology, marine biology and Hawaiian cultural studies.
Maya Galante served on Kauaʻi with the Hawaiʻi State Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s nēnē program.
“I got certified for helicopter operations and flying to survey the cliffs of Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and Alaka’i swamp,” Galante said. “This was an ‘aha’ moment for me because it really put into perspective how much of Kaua’i is untouched, inaccessible by foot. And by getting an aerial view I was able to experience Kaua’i’s dense forests and steep cliff sides in all of its true beauty.”
In addition to gaining valuable insight in the conservation field and protecting natural ecosystems throughout the Pacific, participants will receive a monthly living allowance. Hawai‘i participants will receive up to $2,000 per month. Upon completion of their service term, participants will also receive an education award of $6,495 for the 11-month term and $3,427.50 for the 6-month term. Participants will also have access to the Kupu Pathways program, which offers college through Arizona State University.
Click here to read the full quotes from Kupuʻs 2021-2022 CLDP Members.
Click here for more details and to apply online.
For questions, contact [email protected] or call 808-735-1221, ext. 2002.
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