Fourteen rising stars in fish and wildlife conservation recently received scholarships from The Walt Disney Company, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services National Wildlife Refuge System and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Launched in 2003 with a $100,000 donation from The Walt Disney Company, the Refuge Centennial Scholarship for Conservation awards were created in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The scholarships are awarded based on merit, academic achievements and efforts to improve conservation in national wildlife refuges. The selection committee also considers the diversity of the applicants, their career goals, and their desire to be a leader in conservation.
This years winners will use the scholarships to continue their education and increase their ability to make an impact on conservation and on national wildlife refuges. Funds may be used to help finance their tuition, fees, room and board, and research expenses.
"It gives us great pleasure to help develop the next generation of environmental leaders who will bring diverse thinking and passion to address wildlife issues and land management," said Kym Murphy, Walt Disney Company Sr. Vice President of Corporate Environmental Policy. "The Walt Disney Company is proud of a strong legacy with animals which began nearly 50 years ago with Walt Disney himself, and continues today through the work and messages shared at Disneys Animal Kingdom theme park."
"What we do for conservation today is important. What we do for conservation tomorrow is vital," said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The future of conservation is in the hands of bright students like those we have honored with these scholarships. We are pleased to join The Walt Disney Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in this critical program. We are particularly pleased that several of these scholars work with national wildlife refuges designated as Land Management Research Demonstration areas."
"The Foundation seeks to fund innovative projects that apply the best science in solving conservation challenges. It takes talented, well trained professionals to design and implement such projects. Were very pleased to support this scholarship program and thereby support the next generation of conservation leaders," said Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director of the Foundation.
Listed below are the Centennial Scholarship for Conservation Disney Scholars for 2005:
$5,000 Undergraduate Scholarship:
