Training and Leadership

The Sonoran Institute offers community leaders and engaged citizens training courses and workshops, networking resources for peer learning and sharing of information, and on-the-ground technical assistance, coaching and project facilitation. The objectives of this work are to:

• Increase individuals’ knowledge of growth management, conservation and sustainability principles.
• Improve group, organizational and community leadership skills.
• Increase skills in collaboration and public participation.
• Promote best practices for educating communities about public lands conservation and/or regionalism.
• Build an active and informed constituency for local, state and national policy reform.

Our signature multi-day training sessions allow participating teams to have significant time to work as a group, develop common goals and problem solve.

Planning for People & Wildlife Workshop

On June 7th and 8th, 2011, a workshop was held at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel in Helena, Montana to provide wildlife managers, elected officials, planners, citizens, rural landowners, and the conservation community with the tools they need to effectively plan for development while protecting wildlife and their habitat, and conserving ecologically important lands.

Community Design Academy

A 12-week course presented annually in Pima County, Arizona, for those with an interest in quality design and development and in learning ways to positively influence the future of their community.

Community Energy Futures Institute

A four-day workshop for community teams to learn and share ideas about planning and implementing sustainable energy strategies in their communities.

Western Community Stewardship Forum

A partnership of the Sonoran Institute and the National Association of Counties, WCSF offers training and support to help rural county officials and leaders manage growth through innovative, community-based land-use decisions and solutions.

Western Leadership Institute

Training for community members engaged in local planning and growth management efforts to help them advance collaborative decisions to protect the places they love and shape their community’s future.

Advanced Topical Workshops

One or two-day specialized sessions offering detailed information about smart growth and conservation tools. Contact the Training & Community Leadership Director to inquire about hosting one of these workshops in your community.

• Rural Community Design Workshop
• Planning for Wildlife
• Community Visioning and Public Engagement
• City/County Collaboration
• Planning for Hazards
• Regional Collaboration
• Public Lands Land Disposal 

Morongo Basin

The Sonoran Institute is working in the Mojave Desert of Southern California as a member of the Morongo Basin Open Space Group to protect natural landscapes and open space through regional conservation and land use planning.