Executive Seminar Program for Natural Resources

Registration for the 2012-2013 program is open!

Download program information and registration form: 

ESP 2012-2013 Program Summary 

ESP 2012-2013 Case Summaries

ESP 2012-2013 Registration Form.pdf 

About the Program

The Executive Seminar Program (ESP) is a professional education program for midcareer natural resource professionals in public, private, tribal, and non-profit organizations.

The program centers on using live case studies of controversial natural resource issues as a focal point for advanced leadership development and enhanced understanding of governance principles. Each seminar reconstructs the natural resource policy controversy by visiting the site of the issue, reviewing background materials, and meeting with the decisive players in the conflict.

Past presenters have included members of Congress, governors, state legislators, tribal leaders, agency heads, lobbyists, coalition leaders, and journalists.

The seminar program develops leadership skills that  enhance the performance of managers in their own  organizations and prepares leaders for the complex decision making process inherent in a pluralistic society. Participants will understand the need to evaluate social, economic and political values in natural resource policy development.

A total of four seminars are held during the program year. Three seminars of approximately one week each will be held on site to reconstruct cases. A fourth two-day session in the Portland area will conclude the program with a review of leadership principles, techniques for policy resolution, and a summarization of insights gained by the participants. PSU faculty provide oversight and emphasize sound administration practices as well as ways to improve policy outcomes.