The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society, in conjunction with the Florida Wildlife Federation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Southeast Section of The Wildlife Society (SE-TWS), is sponsoring THREE undergraduate scholarship opportunities for wildlife-interested students. The Greater Everglades Student Memorial Scholarship and the Diversity Wildlife Student Scholarship will award $1,500 each to a Junior or Senior in

wildlife or biology. The new award this year is for a SE-TWS Field Techniques Course in late May, available to a wildlife or biology student with limited access to field-oriented coursework.

The diversity award is for a student who identifies with minority status, including but not limited to, a racial, ethnic or gender identification. Students enrolled in programs at HBUs, private, community colleges, Native American programs or alternative institutions are encouraged to apply.

The field techniques course will provide hands-on learning in wildlife skills including capture/handling, species ID, hunter education, shooting skills, plant ID, equipment operation, and prescribed fire. The course is May 26–June 10, 2020 at the Jones Center at Ichauway in Newton, Georgia (see attached flyer); the selected student MUST be available for this 2-week timeframe. The cost of the course ($1,500) will be covered by FLTWS and includes instruction, food, housing, material, on-site transportation, and 3 hours of college credit tuition.

You may also apply directly for the course by contacting Dan Greene (dgreene907@gmail.com).

To be eligible for one of these scholarships, students must be pursuing a career in wildlife management or ecology and be supportive of the mission of The Wildlife Society. Recipients will be selected based on financial need, extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership, professional potential, personal challenges and achievements, and career goals, as stated in the student’s letter. For the Greater Everglades scholarship, students must be currently enrolled in a degree-based college or university in Florida and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Students applying to the diversity scholarship must submit a separate essay on the topic of the applicant’s minority status (can take the form of a reflection), which should express how selection of the candidate would increase equality and inclusivity in the field of wildlife study. Students applying for the field techniques tuition must submit a separate note of interest indicating how they have limited access to field- based coursework (e.g. transfer student, attending community college or school without field class program).

Candidates should submit (email preferred) the following items before 1 December 2019 (note new deadline):

(1)    A letter expressing professional goals and financial need;

(2)    a resume or CV;

(3)    copies of transcripts from each college or university attended (unofficial copies are acceptable);

(4)    one letter of recommendation submitted directly from a faculty member or wildlife professional;

(5)    the additional essay for the diversity or field techniques scholarships, indicating qualifications.

Send to:

Monica Folk, Chair

FLTWS Scholarship Committee 1475 Regal Court

Kissimmee, FL 34744

E-mail: monicafolk@embarqmail.com

 

The FLTWS Board will notify the recipient of the SE-TWS Field Techniques Course tuition by Christmas 2019. The Student Scholarship Committee will announce the recipients of the Greater Everglades Student Memorial and the Diversity Wildlife Student Scholarships in Spring 2020.

 

Students can apply to all 3 scholarships but can only be awarded one. Recipients will be eligible for complimentary national TWS membership through the Sponsor-A-Student program. This will provide membership benefits such as access to the national TWS Mentorship Center, Career Center, publications, and training and networking opportunities. Awardees will be required to attend the FLTWS Spring conference in Jacksonville, 25-27 March 2020; complimentary registration and a shared student room will be provided.