The goal of the Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute is to help rising leaders develop the skills to build consensus around contentious environmental issues and move beyond conflict to find solutions. People often disagree over how our land and water resources should be used and managed. Disputes arise over such issues as endangered species, private property rights, wetlands, timber management, water use, and water quality. People with a stake in these issues tend to focus on their disagreements rather than building on their common interests. What often follows is policy gridlock.
Important decisions move from the meeting room, legislature and commission chamber to the courtroom.
Typically, no one is happy with the outcome. Gridlock is not necessary. People involved in these disputes can reach mutually acceptable solutions by becoming more knowledgeable about public issues, communicating in a more meaningful and effective way, opening the debate to include all stakeholders, and negotiating to settle disagreements.