In a time when environmental conservation is perhaps more important than ever, but political and economic forces are threatening progress, it is crucial that college students become engaged and lead the next generation of conservationists. We are tasked with preparing our students to meet these challenges as best we can. However, convincing students to engage in extracurricular conservation activities can be a daunting task. In spite of the benefits of such work, students complain that they are too busy, that the work is boring, and that they are hesitant to do unpaid work. In this presentation, I will describe some incentives that have worked for me, including extra credit, course credit, and graduation honors. I will also describe some methods that have failed, including arguments that promote career preparation and community engagement.