Two area conservation authorities are now accepting scholarship applications ahead of the 2024-25 school year, which begins in September.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) has up to two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships up for grabs.
They're being made available to graduating high school students who are pursuing post-secondary studies in an environmental field such as biology, ecology, geography, forestry, agriculture, fish and wildlife.
Students living within the SCRCA boundary or who attend secondary school in Sarnia, Forest, Petrolia, Wallaceburg, Dresden and Strathroy can apply.
The SCRCA said these scholarships were established in memory of Archibald W. Campbell, Tony Stranak, and Mary Jo Arnold and have been made available through donations to trust funds managed by the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation.
SCRCA General Manager Ken Phillips is thrilled the organization can assist young people in their post-secondary journey.
"These generous donations allow our organization to support future conservationists in the St. Clair Region as they pursue their post-secondary education," said Phillips. "We hope these scholarships will encourage young people to take an active role in the environmental issues that impact our society today and, in the future."
Applications can be obtained by contacting the SCRCA at (519) 245-3710 or visiting the SCRCA website.
The deadline for applications is May 31.
Meanwhile, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) is offering a $1,000 Student Environmental Grant this year.
ABCF Chair Dave Frayne said the foundation has been pleased to present this scholarship to 12 different students since 2010.
"We are honoured to provide this financial support to help a local student in their studies," said Frayne. "We encourage eligible young people to apply."
The grant is awarded to a graduating secondary school student or a student enrolled in university or college. The recipient will be someone pursuing a post-secondary education in a course of study related to conservation or environment.
This includes programs like biology, ecology, geography, forestry, fish and wildlife, agriculture, and outdoor education.
The student must be between 17 and 25 years old and have a permanent address within a member municipality of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed area.
Those municipalities are: Adelaide Metcalfe, Bluewater, Central Huron, Huron East, Lambton Shores, Lucan Biddulph, Middlesex Centre, North Middlesex, Perth South, South Huron, Warwick, and West Perth.
More details are posted to the foundation's website.
The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Friday May 31.