"State fish and wildlife agencies are struggling to address new and emerging conservation issues while retaining core traditional programs. Many are finding they are unable to do so adequately, and they fear loss of relevancy to society unless they are able to transform into organizations that meet changing public needs and interests. Organizational transformation is not easy." This statement highlights the contents of the recently released "Leaders' Guide" to Transformation of State Fish & Wildlife Agencies: Ensuring the Future of Conservation in a Rapidly Changing World.

The editors?Daniel J. Decker, Cynthia A. Jacobson and John F. Organ?of this informative, 58-page booklet organized workshops on agency transformation at the past two (75^th and 76^th) North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conferences. The workshops catalyzed a network of interested leaders from fish and wildlife agencies and non-governmental organizations about the future relevancy of state natural resource agencies. The Leader's Guide synthesizes and summarizes the substance of the two workshops; it provides background information, a primer on transformation theory, case studies from six states, and practical advice for leading the organizational transformation process in a fish and wildlife agency.

To receive the printed document at no cost, contact Michele Beucler with the number of copies desired and where to send them. Hard copies are being made available through gracious donations by the National Archery in the Schools Program and the Organization of Wildlife Planners (OWP). ??The Leaders' Guide also is available electronically. The 1MB .pdf file can be accessed, downloaded and printed ?from the Organization of Wildlife Planners' website. Contact Dave Chadwick if trouble is encountered accessing the file.

Additional resources for agency transformation can be found on the OWP website. Also, an email discussion list is being developed, beginning with those who have attended the workshops at the last two North American conferences (2010 and 2011). Interested parties may sign up directly from OWP's website or by contacting Dave Chadwick. Participants who wish to recommend other resoruces to be added to the site to help others with their transformation efforts should notify Dave of those materials.

A third transformation workshop is being planned for the 77^th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, which will be held this coming March in Atlanta, Georgia.