Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Washington launching Summer 2014

The goal of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Washington, a multi-year conservation immersion program, is to broaden participation within conservation and diversify what it means to be a “conservation professional.” They are looking for 20-25 freshmen and sophomores to join an eight week immersion course this summer. Scholars don’t have to be environmental science, or even science, majors, but should demonstrate a commitment to the environment and to diversity, and be curious, creative and enthusiastic 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, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions

Learn more about the program.


Press Release about the Program

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation today announced $4.5 million in grants to launch the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at universities across the country.

The University of Washington, Northern Arizona University and University of Florida will each receive $1.5 million to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to participate in mentored research activities in conservation biology and other disciplines relevant to land, water and wildlife conservation.  The University of Washington and Northern Arizona University will recruit students nationwide to participate in the program, while the University of Florida will partner with Cornell University, University of Idaho, North Carolina State University, and University of Arizona to serve students recruited from those five institutions.

“More than ever, the conservation field needs to increase its efforts to attract, train and employ individuals from communities that today are largely absent from the conservation workforce,” said Andrew Bowman, Program Director of the Environment Program at DDCF.  “The ultimate objective of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program is to foster an increase in the number of undergraduate students from groups currently underrepresented in the conservation workforce who choose to pursue studies and a career in conservation. To that end, the program will serve students who not only have a budding academic interest in conservation, but are also committed to increasing the diversity of students and professionals in the conservation field.”

The program at the University of Washington will capitalize on the region’s access to diverse environments, from high-alpine wilderness areas to the densely populated Puget Sound Basin. Students will explore conservation across urban, managed, and protected environments, connect conservation to cultural heritage and environmental justice, and understand conservation in the context of food, water, biodiversity and climate. These experiences are key to training part of the next generation of conservation leaders.

A major focus of the UW program will be connecting people directly to landscapes.  “The urban-wild continuum is so important in conservation because it reminds us that there is no place humanity doesn’t, and didn’t, reach, “ says Julia Parrish, associate dean and Doris Duke lead at the UW College of the Environment. “If we want to preserve and conserve natural landscapes, we must realize all of the ways in which humans need natural systems, from food to recreation to clean air and water.”

A key feature of the multi-year program is the opportunity for students to work alongside conservation researchers and professionals who have agreed to serve as mentors.  These research experiences and additional activities that feature extensive time outdoors in nature are designed to inspire students as well as solidify their interest in conservation science and graduate programs that can lead to a career in conservation.  Students will also be exposed to career options in conservation, including through interactions with people from underrepresented communities currently working in the conservation field.

The three grant recipients were selected through a competitive, nationwide process.  In response to the DDCF Environment Program’s open invitation for letters of interest, 122 institutions from across the U.S. submitted their concepts and ideas.  A small number of full proposals were invited by DDCF and reviewed by experts in conservation education, research and diversity programs.  Based on the recommendations of those experts, the foundation awarded three $1.5 million grants.

The mission of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is to improve the quality of people’s lives through grants supporting the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research and the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties. The DDCF Environment Program enables communities to protect and manage wildlife habitat and create efficient built environments.

For information about the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Washington, please contact Dr. Julia K. Parrish at 206-221-5787 or jparrish@u.washington.edu.  Information is also available at www.environment.uw.edu/conservationscholars

For information about the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at Northern Arizona University, please contact Dr. Thomas D. Sisk at (928) 523-7183 or Thomas.Sisk@nau.edu.  Information is also available at http://lci.nau.edu/DDCS.

For information about the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Florida, Cornell University, University of Idaho, North Carolina State University, and University of Arizona, please contact Dr. John P. Hayes at (352) 392-1784or hayesj@ufl.edu.  Information is also available at http://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/DDCSP/.