About The Network: 

The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCSP) Alumni Network was established in 2017 to support the ongoing networking and professional development of the 150+ alumni of DDCSP. Since its inception, the DDCSP Alumni Network has grown to roughly 700 members across the globe. DDCSP was an initiative funded by the Doris Duke  Foundation (DDF)  to diversify the conservation workforce by preparing the next generation of diverse, environmental conservation professionals. DDCSP Alumni Network aims to cultivate a supportive community where a new generation of environmental leaders can connect, build their capabilities and unleash their collective power in the environmental workforce to address systemic challenges and inspire new equity-centered solutions for the environment, their communities, and society.

THE WHO... ELP staff hired to run the DDCSP Alumni Network collaborated with other ELP staff, DDCSP program staff, DDF funders, alumni, universities, and other partners to create programming that reflected the diverse needs and desires of our cohorts. We formed many lasting relationships with alumni and offered professional mentorship in a wide capacity. Luz and Teri created a strong foundation for Sydney to continue and finish the legacy of the Alumni Network. Thank you, Luz and Teri!THE WHAT... Professional Development Continued Learning Relationship Building Leadership Development We invited guest speakers and educators to support alumni in applying to jobs, grants, and grad school, reviewing resumes and discussing networking skills. We also created opportunities for alumni to practice these skills with each other. Our programming also focused on continued education in conservation topics. We discussed new books, news, articles, and world events that related to environmental justice. We discussed these topics with alumni and incorporated them into our programming. Our programming has created pathways for alumni to build relationships beyond their original program cohorts. We created constant opportunities for alumni to not just participate in programming but to shape it, create it, and facilitate it themselves. Our leadership pathways have allowed several alumni to create wonderful portfolios of consulting workTHE HOW... Virtual Webinars Informal In-Person Meetups Formal In-Person Meetups Job Board Monthly webinars were always a staple of Alumni Network programming. During COVID lockdown, much more programming happened virtually as well. Alumni were encouraged to gather, visit each other, and make new connections with each other. They were offered stipends and reimbursements to offset the costs of connecting with their nation-wide cohorts. Formal meetups were organized and facilitated or co-facilitated by ELP staff. These ranged from small local day trips to two separate weekend- long Homecomings and several ELP All Community Retreats! Over the Alumni Network’s 9 years running, we shared ~8,000 jobs, scholarships, and fellowships on our website’s opportunity boardwebinars...other virtual programmingTHE TRANSITION... In 2026 the Alumni Steering Committee came together to decide on a new name for the Network and a new logo. They independently found a graphic designer and collaborated on the vision for our community’s new visual brand identity. Incredible work! Welcome in the era of The National Conservation Scholars Network!Thank you to all our alumni collaborators who worked on the transition... Arjun, Briana, Camille, Diana, Kianna, Jessica, Marlen, Olivia, Portia, Princess, Savannah, Storm, T onyisha, and MANY MORE!THE NEW IDENTITY... The NCSN Steering Committee will continue to share newsletters and run our social media accounts, sustaining the online safe space we’ve created for our alumni. They will also continue to host meetups virtually and online. Stay tuned for more information. The Network and DDCSP love lives on!