By Daimon Eklund | Dec 15, 2014

The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at University of Washington (DDCSP@UW) is looking for 25 freshmen and sophomores to participate in an eight week immersion course this summer. The goal of the multi-year conservation immersion program is to broaden participation within conservation, and diversify what it means to be a "conservation professional." The program was recently profiled in The Seattle Times, and the article features some of last summer's students as well as laying out the background on the program.

The program starts in Seattle and travels to various ExUrban (wildlands and rural) landscapes in Washington addressing urban conservation issues. Scholars don’t have to be planning on majoring in environmental science, or any science at all, but should have a commitment to the environment and to diversity, and be curious, creative and enthusiastic – incipient change-makers.

Conservation Scholars will:

  • Explore conservation across urban, managed, and protected environments
  • Connect conservation to cultural heritage and environmental justice
  • Understand conservation in the context of food, water, biodiversity and climate
  • Network with conservation professionals from agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions

The Year 1 experience, Classroom in the Field, starts on June 22, 2015. Doris Duke Conservation Scholars will have all travel, food and lodging paid during their 8-week summer experience and will receive a stipend of $4,000. Year 1 Scholars may be invited to join a Conservation Practices Team, or receive a prestigious Conservation Internship in subsequent summers. The program provides opportunities for students over a three-year program, although it is not a requirement to participate for the full span.

Applications close on January 29th. You can learn more about the program at www.uwconservationscholars.org, see the program's flier or email ddcsp@uw.edu with any questions.

Because the program is geared for students early in their college careers, it is only able to take freshmen and sophomores. Upper-level undergraduate student or beginning graduate students may be interested in the George Melendez Wright Young Leaders in Climate Change, a program sponsored by the UW College of the Environment and the National Park Service which provides opportunities for undergraduate or beginning graduate students to intern for approximately 12 weeks on projects in research, interpretation, park operations, policy development, and other fields.

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