Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment is currently accepting applications for graduate and undergraduate fellowships and scholarships in urban forestry offered by two prominent conservation organizations.

Garden Club of America

The Garden Club of America, with the support of the nonprofit organization Casey Trees, is awarding a number of national urban forestry fellowships. The Garden Club of America, which has a history of interest in the health of the urban forest, supports young scientists in their undergraduate and graduate studies in this field.

The study areas of interest are far reaching, including urban forest management and planning as well as topics in biology, ecology, or human health that will specifically move urban forest science forward.

A selection committee representing three Virginia Tech colleges — Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture and Urban Studies, and Natural Resources and Environment — will include practicing urban forestry educators, scientists, and professionals in related fields to review applications, with the Garden Club of America making the final selection.

Multiple fellowships of $4,000 each will be awarded to graduate or advanced undergraduate students studying urban forestry, environmental studies, horticulture, forestry, or a closely related field at any four-year college or university degree program in the United States. Applicants must be U.S. students who will be enrolled as juniors, seniors, or graduate students during the fellowship period (2014-15). Fellowship recipients may apply for one additional year of funding.

For application forms and instructions, visit the Garden Club of America Fellowship in Urban Forestry website. For more information, email the selection committee. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2014.

Trees Virginia

The Virginia Urban Forest Council, known as Trees Virginia, seeks to enhance the ranks of future urban forestry professionals by providing financial assistance to students studying urban forestry and related curricula at Virginia colleges. Trees Virginia has awarded over $30,000 in scholarships since 2008.

Three scholarships totaling $4,000 will be awarded to applicants who best demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, and a clear commitment to a career that will positively impact urban forests in Virginia and beyond, distributed as follows:

  • One $1,500 scholarship for a graduate student enrolled at a Virginia four-year college;
  • One $1,700 scholarship for an undergraduate student enrolled at a Virginia four-year college; and
  • One $800 scholarship for an undergraduate student enrolled at a Virginia community college.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee appointed by the board of directors of Trees Virginia.

For application forms, eligibility requirements, and instructions, visit the Virginia Urban Forest Council Scholarships in Urban Forestry website. For more information, email the selection committee. The application deadline is Nov. 30, 2013.

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