Dr. Jon Brandt's speech

May 30, 2000

Ms. Mary Lou Addor

Natural Resources Leadership Institute
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695

Dear Mary Lou:

Thank you for the invitation to be a part of this year’s graduation of NRLI Fellows and the special recognition that you are planning for the Founders of NRLI and the NRLI Advisory Board. Unfortunately, I will be out of the state on the date of your activity and sorry that I cannot attend. If I were able to attend, however, I would say these things about the Natural Resources Leadership Institute and the leaders who have brought this special program to its current place of prominence.

1.During the time that the NRLI has been in existence, many men and women have been brought together from diverse backgrounds and interests for the purposes of developing leadership abilities and building skills in resolving differences of perspectives about a wide range of issues dealing with our environment and management of natural resources. This program has filled an important void in dealing with controversial but important issues in our state. The large and increasing number of "students" who have participated in this program are not only better equipped to address and resolve difficult issues pertaining to our state’s resources but also have a more diverse and educated perspective of these issues due in large part to their interactions with each other. These discussions would likely not have happened without the NRLI program.

2.A large thank you is extended to those individuals who had the vision to begin this important program for our state. Although sustained financial resources have been a continuing concern for this activity, both within the state and regionally, the leadership, talents, and efforts of those key individuals who initiated this program have been the most important ingredients in its strength and growth. Their efforts and foresight caused this program to begin on a solid foundation. Since its inception, this program has increased in importance to the state and has achieved a positive reputation around the country because of the sustained efforts of these innovators. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

3.Our department has been pleased to provide a leadership role in designing and sustaining this program. We look forward to its continued success. Our departmental faculty, Drs. Steve Smutko and Leon Danielson, as well as Drs. Mike Levi and Ed Jones from Extension Administration, and Dr. Si Garber from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, have provided leadership to this program since its inception. In addition, Dr. John Stephens from the Institute of Government, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has assisted in the development of the institute. Each of these individuals deserves our special thanks.

4.The Board of Directors of NRLI has been most helpful in providing direction, feedback, and advice to the administrators of the program. Their support has been essential for the success of NRLI and their efforts are much appreciated. The faculty and staff, the Board of Directors, and the participants in the NRLI program over the years are to be congratulated for their accomplishments in developing a program that has contributed significantly to building the capacity for collaboration on natural resource issues within North Carolina. I believe that future generations of North Carolinians will benefit for years to come from the efforts that started this leadership program. Thank you to all for the vision, the leadership, and the cooperative spirit in achieving success in this important program for the future of the state and its natural resources!

Sincerely,
Jon A. Brandt,
Professor and Head