The Minnesota Wildlife Federation Women in Conservation Leadership program combines exciting outdoor experiences along with an introduction to conservation topics of importance to Minnesotans in a supportive women led mentor environment.
We look forward to growing the size and impact of this program. If you are interested in future opportunities to participate please sign up for our email list to stay up to date or reach out to us at any time.
2025 Women in Conservation Leadership program
In 2025 The Minnesota Wildlife Federation was excited to welcome a cohort of 10 women that participated in our first Women in Conservation Leadership cohort. Over the course of two programs these women learned how to safely handle and shoot a shotgun, waded through thick grassy habitat on a hunt for wild pheasants, enjoyed time spent in community with one another, learned about the role of local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and toured a farm to see the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices in person.
Women left this program:
- Confident in their ability to carry a firearm safely in the field.
- With a better understanding of public land access for hunting and outdoor recreation.
- Able to identify conservation agricultural practices on the landscape.
- Connected to a supportive cohort of conservation minded women in Minnesota.
Program 1: An introduction to shooting sports
A successful hunt starts with being prepared to safely and effectively handle a firearm. The cohort will gathered at a metro area shotgun range to get comfortable handling a shotgun, heard from program leaders on how to prepare for the hunt program, and found community with a cohort of conservation minded women!
Program 2: Pheasant Hunt Weekend and Conservation Tour
The highlight of the program was a weekend long pheasant hunt and conservation experience. Participants traveled to southwest Minnesota to enjoy a fall pheasant hunt together. Time was spent learning getting comfortable accessing public lands and meeting with local conservation professionals on Saturday before the group took to the field Sunday morning in pursuit of pheasant.
Conservation focus: Our group was joined by a local Soil and Water Conservation District representative Holly Hattlewick who shared with the group about her conservation focused career and the role that SWCD’s perform in counties across Minnesota. A private land field tour Saturday afternoon will focus on identifying sustainable agricultural practices in the field that benefits clean water, people, and wildlife. The cohort will visit public lands to look for wildlife, identify key habitat, and to discuss stewardship as well as use etiquette.
2024 Women in Conservation Leadership Program
Our first Women in Conservation Leadership Program took place in October of 2024. MWF Board President Julia Schrenkler hosted a daylong program focused on public land pheasant hunting and sustainable agriculture. This program provided proof of concept that inspired MWF to grow the Women in Conservation Leadership program to engage with more women in Minnesota.
MNCF Board President Julia Schrenkler and her canine companion helped get new hunters into the field.
Pamela from the Renville County Soil and Water Conservation District spoke about agricultural soil health practices and their affect on wildlife habit and clean water.
Participants connect with habitat suitable for hosting health pheasant populations.