OUR MISSION

Through its mission to Nurture and Engage the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders, the Center for Conservation Leadership (CCL) develops and empowers high school students from diverse backgrounds who have a keen interest in the environment and a passion for the outdoors. CCL’s comprehensive environmental education programs help students understand the significance of human interaction with the environment and the need to take responsibility for its care and preservation.

To foster future conservation leaders, CCL combines environmental education, a residential summer experience, leadership training, mentored internships and community service. CCL immerses teens in the natural world, instills in them an understanding of environmental issues and encourages them to become stewards of those resources on a local, regional, national and global level.

CCL is an educational initiative of Lake Forest Open Lands Association, a nationally recognized and accredited land trust that emphasizes environmental education.

“When I started to work with animals and conservation, through CCL, it became clear to me how valuable life really is. I gained a greater passion for the environment.”
-- Arisa, CCL Certificate Program Participant

Check it out!

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We are accepting applications for the CCL 2018 program! The dates are June 11 - June 29. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Calling all adventurers! Join us on Sunday, January 28 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest for an afternoon of adventure films  from the MountainFilm on Tour Festival and learn how you and your family can engage with the outdoors! Experience Mountainfilm shorts curated specifically for the whole family to enjoy and then visit our expo to learn more about the outdoor adventure and environmental opportunities in Lake County.
Follow us on Facebook to see updates of our CCL students in action!