The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation recently awarded scholarships to five students from four Pennsylvania schools to support them in their respective wildlife and natural resource-related fields.

The goal of the Wildlife Scholarship Fund is to inspire the next generation of conservationists by presenting opportunities for students to advance their career interest.

Margaret Brittingham, professor of Wildlife Resources at Penn State University and chair of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, comments on the recipients: “The committee was impressed and inspired by the commitment shown by our awardees, as well as the breadth of their experience and talents.”

Emma Keele (Hastings, NE) is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Biology at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She received a B.S. in Biology Comprehensive with Wildlife Emphasis from the University of Nebraska.

Emma received impactful field experience as a member of the Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps. In these roles, she engaged in habitat management activities and forest regeneration data collection as part of a crew constructing and  maintaining trails throughout several national forests in Idaho.

She also managed a corps of volunteers tasked with the planting of trees within riparian buffers as the AmeriCorps Stewardship Coordinator with ClearWater Conservancy in State College, PA.

In support of her thesis, Emma is currently researching the monarch butterfly and other pollinator use of Golden-winged Warbler-managed forests in the Great Lakes region.  She aspires to a career in natural resource management. 

Haley Carlton (Milltown, NJ) is a senior at Drexel University studying Environmental Science with minors in Biology and Geology.

Haley is currently working on her senior capstone project studying the effects of pH on water quality in tidally restricted ponds in Elkhorn Slough, an estuary in California.

She participated in three different practical experiences during her education at Drexel; two of them in fisheries and one in a coastal engineering research lab. Haley plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the Marine Sciences with the goal of becoming a researcher and conservationist in the marine science community. 

Joshua Stevens (Hanover, PA) is a junior at Juniata College pursuing a B.S. degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Studio Art.

A 2016 graduate of the Wildlife Leadership Academy, Joshua has conducted fisheries research for Juniata College’s Environmental Department, worked as a research technician studying pollinators and the Allegheny Woodrat for the Indian University of Pennsylvania, and was a land management intern with the Game Commission. 

Joshua is interested in a career in public outreach where he can fulfill his dream of educating the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and the environment.

Sara Mueller (Warriors Mark, PA) is a Ph.D. student in the Wildlife and Fisheries Science program at Penn State University (University Park). She received Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Penn State University as well.

In addition to conducting research on macroinvertebrates and the Brook Trout, Sara is passionate about education and mentoring. She was a teaching assistant and graduate student instructor at Penn State (University Park) and an adjunct faculty member in Wildlife Technology at Penn State (Dubois).

Currently, Sara is a Fisheries research technician at the university. Her doctoral research is focused on Brook Trout phenotypes and genetics. Sara is open to any career that allows her to conduct research, educate others and be outdoors, possibly a position in academia, governmental work, private consulting or with a non-governmental organization.

 Kyra Monsam (Sherrills Ford, NC) is a junior at Penn State University (University Park) working towards a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science with a minor in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management.  

Kyra’s employment as a Conservation Education Intern at the Lehigh Valley Zoo and camp counselor at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center’s Outdoor School uncovered her passion for teaching and mentoring.

After graduation, Kyra hopes to pursue a career in environmental and conservation education either by enrolling in an environmental education graduate program or working as a park ranger for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or in a zoo setting. 

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation website.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

The Foundation promotes wildlife conservation and education in Pennsylvania and supports projects for  wildlife and wetland habitat improvement, creek and lake restoration and to increase student educational opportunities.

(Photos: Emma Keele, Haley Carlton, Joshua Stevens, Sara Mueller, Kyra Monsam)

[Posted: March 24, 2021]

3/29/2021