Click here for 2015 application form
Press Release
April 1, 2015
The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists’ Cliff Bennett Nature Bursary committee are looking for a young person with a passion for nature who believe they can make a difference in meeting the environmental challenges of the future. The Cliff Bennett Nature Bursary is offered annually to assist a graduating high school student to pursue post- secondary studies in a field related to the natural environment which may lead to a career in this field. This year, one bursary of $1000 will be awarded to a deserving student from our area. The Cliff Bennett Nature Bursary Fund is named for Cliff Bennett, a founding member of MVFN. The award was established by Cliff’s many friends in 2007, to honour his contributions to the community and nature, with a lasting legacy. To date, over $7000 has been awarded to local students pursuing their studies.
The 2015 bursary will be awarded to a local student who attends a high school in Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, or West Carleton. To be eligible, a student must be graduating from high school and be undertaking post-secondary studies in an aspect of nature or an environmental field. As well as academic achievement, the bursary selection committee will consider an applicant’s involvement in issues relating to the natural environment. Previous recipients have actively promoted environmental awareness through school projects and volunteering. Interest in protecting our environment has led previous Cliff Bennett Nature Bursary award winners to pursue degrees in marine biology and zoology. Some award winners followed their passion in environmental stewardship by studying fish and wildlife technology or biotechnology.
“I am pleased that this award may encourage a young person today to become an environmental leader tomorrow” says Cliff Bennett. “I consider it an investment in our environmental future”.
Application forms are available from student services departments in area high schools, or from the MVFN website at mvfn.ca. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 1, 2015.
For further details or questions, students may contact Mike Macpherson of the Nature Bursary Committee at 613-256-3043 or send an email to naturebursary@gmail.com.
