Hosted by the National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife, a special workshop held in conjunction with the upcoming 78th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources conference will explore the successes, career tracks and overall experience of North America's women wildlife conservation professionals.

Organized by the ad hoc "Women in Wildlife Conservation Network," this workshop will feature a panel of distinguished women conservationists who will present and discuss their experiences and lessons learned while moving along their career path to leadership. Titled "Navigating Career Paths for Women in Wildlife Conservation," and held on Monday, March 25th from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Crystal Gateway Marriot in Arlington, Virginia, this workshop's speakers will relate the stories of how their careers in conservation began and how they overcame challenges to become women leaders making an impact in the field of wildlife conservation.

The panelists will consist of women in senior leadership positions as well as those in either mid-or early career. Panel speakers will include:

• Jamie Rappaport Clark, President and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife, former USFWS Director
• Jo' Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army, Civil Works
• Rebecca Humphries, Director Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office, Ducks Unlimited, former Michigan DNR Director
• Mary Klein, NatureServe CEO and President
• Elsa Haubold, Section Leader, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Madeline West, Colorado Department of Natural Resources
• Tamara Conkle, Department of the Navy
• Naomi Edelson, Director, State and Federal Wildlife Partnerships, National Wildlife Federation

Following the panel presentation, attendees and speakers will break into smaller groups to share one-on-one stories. The workshop will be preceded by an invitation-only luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, please contact workshop coordinator Naomi Edelson.