Conservation Scholarship

The IWLA National Conservation Scholarship program was established in 2005 to promote conservation leadership among future natural resource managers and professionals.

This scholarship supports rising junior and senior college undergraduates from recognized conservation or environment-related degree programs. These degree programs may include (but are not limited to) environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, parks and recreation, range management, and other related sciences such as ecology, biology (conservation/ field/ marine), geology, hydrology, and zoology.

The National Conservation Scholarship complements the many scholarships offered annually by IWLA chapters and state divisions.

Download the IWLA National Conservation Scholarship Application (PDF). To download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here.

Emerson Sirk

For more information about the application process, contact Earl Hower at ehower@iwla.org or (800) IKE-LINE x216.

The recipients of the National Conservation Scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year are:

  • Kayla M. Reed, a rising senior at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point studying Fisheries and Water Resources, and Aquatic Sciences
  • Charlotte A. Johnson, a rising senior at Montana State University studying Environmental Engineering

Read more about Kayla and Charlotte in Outdoor America.

Hailee and Hunter will be featured in an issue of Outdoor America magazine later in the year. Congratulations to them both!

The recipients of the National Conservation Scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year will be officially announced at the IWLA National Convention in July 2021. They will also be featured in an issue of Outdoor America magazine later in the year.

Read about the winners from 2022 and 2021.


QUALIFICATIONS
Each scholarship category includes a $2,500 scholarship and a one-year IWLA student membership.

Category #1: Previous IWLA Chapter/Division Scholarship Recipient 
Applicant is a previous recipient of an IWLA chapter/division scholarship. By the completion of the spring semester/quarter, applicants must:

  1. Be an undergraduate in a recognized conservation- or environment-related degree program.
  2. Have junior or senior class standing (completed a minimum of 56 semester hours or 108 quarter hours).
  3. Have at least one semester or two quarters remaining in their degree program.
  4. Be scheduled to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student for the following fall semester/quarter.

Category #2: Current IWLA Member OR Child/Grandchild of a Current IWLA Member 
Applicant is the son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of a current IWLA member, or a current IWLA student or individual member (at the time of application submission).  By the completion of the spring semester/quarter, applicant must:

  1. Be an undergraduate in a recognized conservation or environment-related degree program.
  2. Have junior or senior class standing (completed a minimum of 56 semester hours or 108 quarter hours).
  3. Have at least one semester or two quarters remaining in their degree program.
  4. Be scheduled to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student for the following fall semester/quarter.

ELIGIBILITY 
Previous IWLA National Conservation Scholarship recipients are ineligible. You may apply for only one category per year. If not selected but eligible, you may apply during the second year.

APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications accepted starting January 1. Deadline for applications: May 15 (postmarked).

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Download the IWLA National Scholarship Application (PDF).

Complete the application form, including the written requirements, enclose one letter of personal reference, two letters of recommendation from faculty at your college/university, have your university department head/chair or advisor complete and sign their designated section, and then you mail the completed packet to:

Izaak Walton League of America
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2983
ATTN: IWLA National Conservation Scholarship

Feel free to photocopy the application form.

You will receive a confirmation acknowledging receipt of your application. If you do not receive acknowledgment within two to three weeks, please call toll free 1-800-IKE-LINE, ext. 216, to confirm receipt of your application packet.

SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants will be evaluated based upon their knowledge of conservation/environment issues and their commitment as a future conservation leader. Each submitted application will be screened by the National Conservation Scholarship Sub-Committee, as part of an effort of the IWLA Conservation Education and Youth Convention Committee. Also included are representatives from the IWLA Executive Board and the Izaak Walton League of America Endowment, Inc., who will assist in making the final decision regarding the selection of recipients by the end of the month of June.

IWLA National Conservation Scholarships will be awarded directly through the college/university at the beginning of the fall semester/quarter.

SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS
The awarded scholarship may be used only for tuition, fees, books, room and board, or other related-research expenses. Payments may be made directly to the college/university in the name of student, thus the student’s identification number will be required only if selected. After an award is made, any major change in the recipient’s course of study requires prior notification of the League. The IWLA reserves the right to withhold or terminate a scholarship due to unsatisfactory academic performance, or recipient’s early departure or withdrawal from college. Scholarship criteria or procedures subject to change without notice.

This national scholarship is made possible with a generous annual grant from the Izaak Walton League of America Endowment, Inc.