American Wilderness Leadership
School
Click here to see SCI Foundation's page on AWLS
Use the links below to view and print
Applications to attend the AWLS program
(and be sponsored by the
Novi Chapter or another Chapter).
Each Application includes program dates
2009 Program Applications
Mail completed
applications or direct questions to:
Jon Gray
621 Newman Rd.
Lake Orion, MI 48362
248.693.2923
or use this form to submit an inquiry:
Upon receipt, your application will be reviewed by the Novi Chapter Board of Directors at the next monthly Board Meeting. You will receive a written response regarding your sponsorship.
Please note - if the Novi Chapter declines to sponsor your attendance at AWLS, this does not prevent you from submitting the same application to another local Chapter to request sponsorship, or from paying for your own attendance costs if you still choose to attend.
History
Safari Club International (SCI) founded
Safari Club International Conservation Fund (SCICF) in 1973 to
preserve conservation education programs initiated by governmental
agencies but later weakened by funding cuts. SCI stepped in
to keep these vital conservation education programs alive, using
the resources of its chapters throughout the world.
As its focal point, SCICF developed the American Wilderness
Leadership School (AWLS) in 1976 to reach out to students and
teachers with the message that wise use of our natural resources
is vital to the future of the country.
In 1982, SCICF purchased the Granite Ranch, which lay southeast of
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, within the Gros Ventre Wilderness area of
the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The site, surrounded by
more than eight million acres of public lands, was chosen not only
because of its spectacular beauty, but also because its location
contains all the elements and issues essential to the study of
contemporary natural resource and management problems.
The curriculum was designed to give maximum exposure to the many
considerations affecting natural resource management, resource
development and utilization, and planning on community and
regional levels.
The $500,000 Jim Conklin Lodge completed in 1987 assures a
comfortable and modern dining hall, kitchen and sleeping
facility. In 1996 the Joel Loveridge Classroom addition
added 3,600 square feet for classroom, office space, foyer
registration and indoor climbing wall activities. In 1989, SCI consolidated with SCICF, placing all of the
educational programs previously operated by SCICF under control of
the SCI Board.
Student Program
Students attending AWLS are high school age.
This particular age group was chosen with a dual objective:
exposure to conservation or related vocational opportunities can
come at a critical time when professional career options are being
considered; and it is also the time when young adults of this age
are becoming involved in school and community affairs as informed
citizens.
Students come from all over the world, sponsored by SCI's many
chapters, corporations, sportsmen's clubs, environmental education
groups, or parents and relatives.
During the eight-day summer sessions, these young men and women
encounter challenging experiences in the fields of wildlife,
ecology, natural resource management, and conservation. Program experiences both in the classroom and on field trips into
the surrounding wilderness areas and Teton National Park emphasize
a conceptual understanding of natural resource issues. In
utilizing a wilderness setting, students are exposed to the
techniques and skills necessary to have a safe, enjoyable
experience in the out-of-doors.
Teacher Program
Teachers and other interested educators
seeking outdoor education skills and techniques can obtain
university graduate credit hours at AWLS. The teachers
experience many of the same activities and instruction as the
students, but also receive ideas for implementing conservation
education programs in their schools and conducting workshops for
teachers in cooperation with state SCI chapters during six 8-day
sessions offered each summer. In addition, SCI provides
follow-up assistance and resources for conducting student and
teacher workshops at the local level.
Additional Support
SCI provides financial support for teacher
workshops, outdoor education courses and college scholarships to
AWLS graduates actively pursuing conservation related courses
during their junior and senior years at colleges and universities.
In addition, SCI sponsors the development and publication of an
environmental respect manual.
Conservation
Recognizing that habitat loss has the
greatest detrimental influences on wildlife, SCI has led the way
in creating wildlife habitat and re-establishing animals in areas
depleted by encroaching urbanization. Some of these projects
include:
Among some of its international projects,
SCI has donated four-wheel drive vehicles and radio
communication equipment to game and fish departments including
Mexico and Kenya, for management and game protection programs.
In addition, grants have been made available to individuals for
studies to determine the status of such animals as the leopard,
white-tailed deer, jaguar, florida panther, cheetah, black-faced
impala, argali and African elephant.
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