Leadership Development Program
Leading parks, protected, and conserved areas effectively, equitably, and sustainably in times of complex change
Explore challenges and opportunities facing the continuum of Canadian parks, protected and conserved areas, and heritage sites and collaborate with peers across jurisdictions, regions, and disciplines.
This seven-month hybrid program connects twenty-five mid-career parks and protected areas professionals from across the continent with a weeklong half-day eResidency, four monthly workshops, applied team challenges, and a face-to-face retreat-style residency. Guest presenters, solo leadership presentations, breakout workshops, and service-learning panels combine with nature breaks and tasks to connect the learning to local issues and contexts.
The Leadership Development Program covers a range of topics relevant to the continuum of parks and protected areas and incorporates real-world issues facing decision makers now and into the future. Participants learn and apply perspectives and tools such as systems change, design thinking, social capital, persuasive communication, braiding knowledges, and empathy to real-world cases presented by guests and peers.
The program progresses through six themes:
- Leadership Tensions, Transitions, and Innovation in Canada’s Parks and Protected Areas System (eResidency)
- Management and Operational Sustainability (Workshop One)
- Collaboration and Social Capital (Workshop Two)
- Connection, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Workshop Three)
- Conservation and Ethical Space (Workshop Four)
- Braiding Knowledges & Learning in Specific Landscapes (Residency Location)
2023/2024 Program Dates
Participants are expected to attend all sessions, deliver a short presentation on a real-world leadership challenge or opportunity facing them in their work, and participate in a capstone team.
Date | Session |
|---|---|
June 30, 2023 | CPC Agencies Confirm Spots |
July 1 | Remaining spots open to other organizations |
September 8 | Deadline to Confirm NamesProgram one-on-ones and solo tasks begin. |
October 16-20 | Online eResidency (1100h-1530h Eastern)
Leadership Tensions, Transitions, and Innovation in Canada’s Parks and Protected Areas System |
November to February | Online Workshops (2nd Tuesday, 1100-1530h Eastern) |
November 10 | Management and Operational Sustainability |
December 8 | Collaboration and Social Capital |
January 12 | Connection, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion |
February 8 | Conservation and Ethical Space |
March 4 to 8, 2024 | Face-to-face Residency (Whitehorse, Yukon)Capstone Presentations and Service ChallengeBraiding Knowledges and Learning in the North |
April 9 | Online Wrapup (1100-1530h Eastern) |
Who is it for?
The Leaders Development Program is designed for experienced decision-makers from a wide range of roles in parks, protected and conserved areas organizations, and a range of ages, experiences, and regions. Diverse personal and professional perspectives enrich this transformative learning experience and we will do our best to accommodate learner needs.
This program is primarily delivered in English with bilingual presentation of most material and simultaneous interpretation during solo presentations. Tasks can be completed in the language of your preference. Many participants are bilingual in French and English and we do our best to ensure the full participation of Francophone learners in discussions and written tasks.
Participant Selection Process
Priority placement is held for member agencies of the Canadian Parks Council until June 30th, after which external applicants are welcome to apply to fill any remaining spaces. Contact CPPCL to submit your name to the waiting list. You will be notified in early July if there is room for you to participate.
Program Commitments
Three Weeks pre-Residency tasks (~ 2 hours per week): Participants will post an introduction on the online forum, record an informal short video (~2 minute) to share their park, protected or conserved area, and work one-on-one with the facilitator to develop a presentation for the eResidency on a current issue they face related to the CPPCL parks leadership knowledge framework.
eResidency (~23 hours, virtual with local activities):
Participants must attend the eResidency, which runs part-time for one week between 11:00am and 3:30pm Eastern time. The eResidency comprises presentation (and workshopping) of participant issues, expert panels, breakout and team sessions, and intergenerational dialogue. Screen time is balanced by offline nature breaks and reflective tasks. We strongly recommend participants attend sessions from home or arrange acting coverage to avoid distraction.
Four Monthly Workshops, Capstone Projects, and Solo Leadership Tasks (~2 hours per week, virtual with local tasks):
Participants will meet once per month with the entire team for a half-day online workshop and be placed in a cross-jurisdictional Capstone team that meets online weekly as a small group to develop a project that advances parks and protected areas leadership. Participants may also work with the facilitator to further develop the issue they presented at the eResidency through a series of independent, locally-based tasks. Samples of solo leadership presentations and capstone projects are available on the the Leadership Alumni Page
Capstone Residency (20 hours over three days, face-to-face)
Public health restrictions allowing, participants will meet in person with the entire team for a three day workshop to present capstone team projects, experience local landscapes and case studies, and connect with colleagues. Accommodations, food, and filed trip costs are included in registration.
Participants require internet and webcam access and must commit to avoiding distractions during sessions, participating fully in independent tasks, and should try to have reasonable access to a nearby outdoor space for activities. Projects will be based on real-world challenges and opportunities and confidentiality among the cohort is expected. Program resource material will be shipped in advance.
Registration Information
Calendar of Programs and Themes
For programs prior to 2018 visit the Leadership Alumni Page
Program | Sub Theme | Residency Site |
|---|---|---|
Fall 2018 | Parkanomics | Canmore, Alberta Rocky Mountains |
Spring 2019 | Partnerships and Collaboration | Killbear Provincial Park Great Lakes |
Fall 2019 | Inclusion and Equity | Royal Road University West Coast |
Fall 2020 | Connecting as Nature | Online Maritimes |
Winter 2021 | Climate Change | Online Rockies |
Fall 2021 | Parkanomics | Online All |
Fall/Winter 2022 | Partnerships and Collaboration | Killbear Provincial Park Great Lakes |
Fall/Winter 2023 | Tensions and Transitions | North |
Since the global pandemic began, CPPCL shifted to an online-only delivery model. We are pleased to resume blended online and face-to-face Leadership Development Programs Residencies when interprovincial travel restrictions are relaxed, provided public health directives can be met safely. Program registration fees have increased to $3500 in order to cover face-to-face accommodation, food, and field experiences.