Conservation biology majors may qualify for a variety of scholarships.
Today as ecosystems are destroyed, resources depleted and more species become threatened, the field of conservation biology is more important than ever. However, there is also a blissful side to majoring in this discipline. You get to learn about the sheer diversity of plants and animals and submerse yourself in their habitats during field work. If you are pursuing academic studies in conservation biology, you may qualify for a variety of scholarships.
National Fish and Wildlife Service
The National Fish and Wildlife Service established the Rich Guadagno Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of a former refuge manager at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Mr. Guadagno performed several important duties in the nature refuge including wildlife management. He died as a passenger on the September 11, 2011, hijacked plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.
Every time a donation is made to the fund, the National Fish and Wildlife Service matches it. The service allocates some of the funds to scholarships. Students who are studying and genuinely interested in conservation biology and wildlife protection are eligible for these funding options.
Ms. Claire Thorpe, Assistant Director
Western Partnership Office
National Fish and Wildlife Service
1133 Fifteenth St. NW., Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202-857-0166
email: claire.thorp@nfwf.org
The Field Museum, Chicago
The Field Museum in Chicago offers a continuous learning style scholarship to students from around the world. The museum is a natural history exhibition hall and has displays that represent anthropology, botany, geology and zoology disciplines. It offers a visiting scholarship to students who would like the valuable opportunity to do some research on site, work with its collections and receive training from experienced curators. The funding covers transportation, room and board costs for the duration of the research period. To apply, students must define the rationale of their research project, explain how it is related to solving a natural or anthropological problem and show how the Field Museum's collections would play a role in research methods. Applicants must also contact one of the museum's curators ahead of time to discuss project details; the idea is that the curator will write a letter of support for the student. At the Field Museum, several curators specialize in conservation biology and could adequately supervise a student wishing to do research in that area.
Chair, Scholarship Committee
Office of Academic Affairs
The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
email: chair_scholarship@fieldmuseum.org
California State University, Fullerton
Many say that Rachel Carson started the environmental movement in the United States. When she wrote her book "Silent Spring" describing the tragic effects of such pesticides as DDT on birds, animals and even humans, widespread attention to the book quickly made the country aware of conservation. To celebrate her accomplishments, the California State University Fullerton campus set up the Rachel Carson Scholarship in Conservation Biology, worth $500. Biology students entering their second, third or fourth year at the university may apply. Students must write a 500-word essay on their legitimate desire to pursue a career in conservation biology and how their past experiences may be related.
Dr. Robert Koch, Chair
Department of Biological Science (MH-282)
California State University, Fullerton
800 North State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92831-3599
657-278-3614
e-mail: rkoch@fullerton.edu
Tags: Field Museum, conservation biology, Fish Wildlife, Fish Wildlife Service, National Fish
