Travel Grants and Scholarships Available for TWS-WS Members

The Western Section is providing last-minute travel grants for the 2019 Annual Meeting at the Tenya Lodge. Each grant provides up to $400 in reimbursable travel funding (ex. transportation, lodging, meals, etc.) for individuals who are currently registered for the meeting and have experienced last-minute loss of personal or employer travel funding. Applications will be accepted thru February 1 on a first-come, first-served basis.  The TWS-WS Board of Directors has a desire to help federal workers impacted by the Federal Shutdown, but note these grants are not limited to federal workers.

Eligibility:

• Current member of the Western Section
• Currently registered for the annual meeting in Fish Camp (or were planning on registering but the federal shutdown impacted your travel request)
• Have had a last minute loss of personal or employer travel funding and would otherwise not attend the meeting.
• Recipients must attend the meeting and submit travel receipts (not exceeding $400) after the meeting.

Congratulations to our 2019 Scholarship Winners – Rebecca Peterson and Sarah Hockensmith!

The Winning Elevator Speeches:

Rebecca Peterson:  Although I have considered other careers related to wildlife and other animals, being a wildlife biologist has stuck with me since my very first time in the field as an undergraduate. I strongly believe in the pursuit of knowledge and the scientific method as tools to shed light onto how we can better interact with wildlife. I want to be a part of a team that protects ecosystems by preserving keystone species, such as carnivores, and studies their behaviors so that humans may co-exist with them better. I am excited at the prospect of meeting professionals and peers who have the same goals as I do and become part of a team where we can leave a positive impact on our communities. I am excited at the prospect of learning about new developments in the field that give us better data and more insight into wildlife ecology. I am ready to take the next step in finding where I fit in the field of wildlife ecology, and I believe attending the conference will help me discover what the next step is.  (University of California, Santa Cruz Ecology and Evolution, 2016.)

Sarah Hockensmith: The environment is important. Science is important and a lot of people have not had the opportunities to recognize the value behind it. If there is any way I could give back in this lifetime, it would be to share my enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for the natural sciences and the outdoors to influence others to be stewards of our natural resources and find value in the environment. With binoculars around my neck and a smile on my face, I am eager to learn, find answers behind unanswered questions, and share the importance of science to those that are willing to listen with competence. Working for various governmental entities, balancing college athletics and classroom academics, all while spending a significant time outside birdwatching and learning more about the natural world, I understand the meaning of hard work and am willing to go beyond curiosity to learn all that I can to become a well-versed scientist and naturalist as well as share that information with others. I understand how to teach others of all ages and backgrounds with humble and caring attention and would love to have to opportunity to grow as an individual/professional at the upcoming Wildlife Society conference.

Five scholarships valued at $500 each are available for Western Section members who have a relevant Bachelor’s Degree but are unemployed, underemployed, or employed outside of the wildlife profession.  We know it’s hard to land that permanent full-time position, and we want to help you advance your career by joining us and the rest of your colleagues at the 2019 Annual Meeting!  Annual Meeting Registration and the Wednesday Breakfast Roundtable are included in the scholarship. You have the freedom to use the remaining scholarship value to cover the costs that fit your needs, whether it’s travel, lodging, or attending other fee-based Annual Meeting events. Applications are due by November 26, 2018. Link to online application