Scholarships

The Conservation District accepts applications for two scholarships programs; The Glen Beach Memorial Scholarship funded through the No-Till Equipment Rental Program and the William Plank Memorial Scholarship funded by the William Plank Memorial Fund.

GLEN BEACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

BEDFORD COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Bedford County Conservation District is offering a $500 scholarship in honor of the late Glen Beach, in recognition of his contributions in conservation tillage, funded through the No-Till Rental Equipment Program. The scholarship is available to Bedford County high school graduates and/or Bedford County residents that are an undergraduate college student in the field of agriculture, environmental studies, soils, or natural resources. Applicants should be sophomore, junior or senior status. Applications must be submitted no later than May 31

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, curriculum of study, quality of the written essay and career goals that are consistent with the BCCD mission. The BCCD encourages stewardship and conservation of natural resources for this and future generations. BCCD strives to develop, implement and improve ways to use land that sustain the productive capacity and enhance the environment. BCCD promotes the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources on working land, land producing food and other services that improve the quality of life.

Successful recipients will be notified by postal mail shortly after the committee selection; anticipate scholarship availability in September.

Glen Beach Scholarship Application

WILLIAM PLANK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

BEDFORD COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

A special $500 memorial scholarship has been established in honor of environmentalist

William Plank for his dedication to conservation. Bill was a longtime Bedford County Conservation District Board member, and inspired many fortunate enough to know him. His friends and family have chosen to recognize and honor his work by contributing to a scholarship in his name to be administered through the Bedford County Conservation District.

The scholarship is available to an undergraduate college student in the field of environmental studies; courses should be related to natural resources, soils, plants, animal science, agriculture or forestry. Applicants should be sophomore, junior or senior status.

Applications must be submitted no later than May 31.

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of financial need, academic merit, curriculum of study, quality of the written essay and career goals that are consistent with the BCCD mission. The BCCD encourages stewardship and conservation of natural resources for this and future generations. BCCD strives to develop, implement and improve ways to use land that sustain the productive capacity and enhance the environment. BCCD promotes the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources on working land, land producing food and other services that improve the quality of life.

The scholarship will be available as early as September for disbursement. The successful applicant will be notified by postal mail soon after the committee has arrived at a decision. Please note that the money will be paid directly to the school of your choice after confirmation of enrollment, and online courses are eligible. The funds must be used within one year of notification of scholarship award.

William Plank Scholarship Application

PACD SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Each year the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) Auxiliary offers a $500 scholarship for Pennsylvania college students majoring in an agricultural or environmental field. Please review the eligibility requirements prior to completing the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for the PACD Auxiliary Scholarship is June 15.

PACD website scholarship page is here

The PACD application form in pdf format is here.

WOSA SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED

Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies (WOSA) is offering a $500 scholarship to high school seniors and college students in Bedford and Fulton counties who intend to pursue a degree in Forest Resources. Career opportunities available to individuals with a forestry degree include forester, community forester, forest hydrologist, wildlife biologist, wood products professional, fisheries biologist, herpetologist and wood chemist. "We are pleased to offer for the fifth year in a row a scholarship to a deserving student in Bedford or Fulton county, who understands the importance of sustaining Pennsylvania's woodlands," said Ben Tresselt, Jr., WOSA president.  WOSA is one of 26 woodland organizations throughout Pennsylvania consisting of private, non-commercial land owners, forestry professionals and others who promote stewardship practices  and who educate the public on the importance of those practices whilce considering wildlife protection, recreation and economic return. Scholarship applications are available at www.orgsites.com/pa.wosa. They should be mailed to arrive no later than March 15 to Phyllis Wallace, 1427 Lutzville Road, Everett, PA 15537. For information, call 814 623-2766.