What: 

The Emerging Leaders Mentorship Program is a year-long coaching and mentorship program that embodies the IZE mission by cultivating exceptional conservation educators across the globe. Through a combination of targeted training, guided mentorship, and peer networking, these individuals will develop proficiency with the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy (WZACES), amplifying our collective impact on wildlife conservation. This program not only enhances the skills and knowledge of participants but also strengthens the international network of conservation educators, fostering innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to inspiring conservation action worldwide.

ELMP Participants will: 

Expand their professional network. 

Develop proficiency with the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy (WZACES).

Receive support and resources for professional growth.

Develop and apply the leadership skills and competencies necessary within the conservation education field. 

Gain insights from established leaders within the conservation education field through guided mentorship. 

Share their learnings through a formal presentation and/or poster at the IZE Conference.

Eligibility to Participate: 

To be eligible for this program, applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in conservation education or closely related fields such as environmental education, wildlife education, or natural history education. Applicants must hold an IZE membership for at least one year prior to application and maintain membership throughout the program duration.

This mentorship programme is designed for mid-level conservation education professionals who are ready to transition into supervisory or leadership roles within their zoo or aquarium or who have just recently obtained a leadership position. The program targets emerging leaders who have moved beyond entry-level positions but are not yet in senior management roles within their conservation education departments. The ideal candidate will be passionate about engaging people in conservation, committed to building a career in conservation education, and driven by a desire to give back to the sector.

Program Elements & Expectations: 

Cohort Participation

• A cohort of participants will be selected to participate in the program together. 
• The cohort will be expected to participate in monthly virtual trainings and discussions together and eventually present at the IZE Conference. 

Mentoring

• Participants will be paired with an experienced conservation education professional who will be their mentor.
• Participants are expected to meet virtually with their mentor at various times to discuss their leadership skills and progress throughout the program. 
• With support from their mentor, participants will complete a professional development project aligned with their goals. 

Masterclass Sessions

• Participants will go through virtual “Masterclass” type training that will be led by the program mentors and/or conservation education specialists who were recruited as subject matter experts. 
• Each Masterclass will have an assignment that participants must complete following the session. Participants will follow up with their mentor about their assignment progress and then come together virtually with the whole cohort and the session presenter to discuss.

Conference Participation

• The program will culminate in participants attending and presenting at the IZE Conference. 

• Conference registration and lodging will be covered by IZE. Travel to the conference, any related expenses including meals, and any required visas will be the participants’ responsibility. 

• Participants will be expected to present about their professional development project at the conference.

Program Timeline:

Applications open: 10 September 2025

Applications close: 10 October 2025

Interviews: Late October/early November

Participants selected: November 2025 (participants will be announced on IZE day)

Program begins: November 2025

Program ends: October 2026 at IZE Conference

To apply: 

Complete the online application using the green button at the top. Applications are due by 11:59pm Pacific Time (UTC -7) on October 10th, 2025.

If selected to interview, these will take place virtually in late October/early November.