Gratitude in Conservation—Lessons from Award-Winning Leaders

The eleventh session of the Soil and Water Conservation Society's (SWCS) webinar series "Conservation Voices: Strategies for Conservation Professionals Shaping the Future."

Gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s a force that sustains us in the important work of conservation. In this webinar, we’ll explore the role of gratitude in building resilience, fostering collaboration, and honoring the legacy of those who care for our land and water.

We’re excited to feature a conversation with three conservation leaders who are recipients of the SWCS Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence. These leaders are known for embracing gratitude in their professional journeys. They will share how appreciation—for the land, water, and each other—can inspire lasting change.

This webinar also highlights the SWCS Awards Program, which recognizes individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to conservation. By lifting up excellence, we celebrate the past, inspire the present, and set the stage for a future where gratitude and stewardship walk hand in hand to inspire progress.

Join us to reflect, celebrate, and learn from conservation’s finest.

Our Speakers:

Rich Duesterhaus This year, SWCS awarded Rich Duesterhaus the 2025 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award in recognition of his significant and far-reaching contributions to natural resource conservation. Now in his seventh decade of service, Rich has worked at the local, state, and national levels and continues to shape the field.

Dale Threatt-Taylor As Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy’s South Carolina Chapter, Dale Threatt-Taylor has a remarkable career devoted to the protection and improvement of natural resources. She has been recognized by SWCS and many other organizations for her ethic of service, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to making this world a better place.

Wayne Honeycutt Following an already successful career with the USDA, Wayne is retiring in early 2026 after 10 years as President and CEO of the Soil Health Institute, where he helped establish soil health benchmarks on over 19 million acres and advanced measurements now supported by USDA programs nationwide.

What You’ll Leave With:

• A better understanding on the value of gratitude and how to use it in conservation

• Insights from leaders in the profession

• A pathway to show gratitude to your colleagues in conservation!

Cost:

• Free for SWCS members
• $15 for nonmembers

Bonus: Need CEU credits? A certificate of attendance will be provided upon request. Just email events@swcs.org after the webinar.

Learn more about SWCS webinars at www.swcs.org/events/webinars.