WFO occasionally provides competitive scholarships to help young people who are interested in field ornithology to attend birding trips or conferences.
All students in grades 6 through 12, who attend our conferences, automatically receive a scholarship waiver of the $95 conference registration fee.
This year WFO is awarding two additional Pasadena Audubon/WFO Youth Scholarships to defray expenses of attending the conference in Olympia, WA August 22-25, 2013. These scholarships are available only to students in grades 6 through 12. Applicants must be student or family members of WFO. In addition to the $95 conference registration, costs that will be paid for these scholarship recipients include:
- Full-day field trip on Sunday as space allows (does not include the pelagic trip)
- Two morning-long field trips or workshops on Friday and Saturday as space allows
- The Saturday evening banquet and keynote address
- Friday and Saturday science sessions
- Friday and Saturday experts sounds and visual identification panels
- Breakfast Saturday and Sunday as well as a box lunch for the Sunday field trip
- Up to two nights hotel accommodations
- Any young person who wants to, will be warmly welcomed to volunteer to sit on the experts sound and visual identification panels.
This conference is an opportunity for young people to meet, in a small setting, some of the people who earn their living and/or volunteer in biology, field ornithology, bird conservation, and other fields.
This year our conference is in Olympia, WA August 22-25, 2013. Click here for details.
To apply for a scholarship, mail or email the following supporting documents by May 31, 2013:
A. One letter of recommendation from a teacher, parent or an adult birding friend that should cover what they know about your commitment to birds and birding.
B. A written personal essay that states the importance of birds to you. The essay should not be more than 1 page long (standard 8.5X11 in.). Do you try to teach others about birds? Do you draw the birds you see? Do you do any survey or volunteer work? Is listing the most interesting thing to you? We want to know about your interest in birds and birding. You may use the online form below for your essay.
C. Application Form (Please use online form below)
D. For those under 18 years of age not accompanied by a parent or guardian, parental consent forms signed by both parents or guardians. The form is available here.
E. Membership in WFO is required of all applicants. Student membership is $10 per year. Our membership form is available here.
Applicants must be students in grade six through twelve. Applicants must be residents of western North America; from the Rocky Mountain States and Provinces to the Pacific, including Alaska, Hawaii, western Texas and northwestern Mexico. Applicants will be informed of decisions no later than June 11, 2013. Be sure your application form, essay, and letter of recommendation arrive by May 31. Please fill out and submit the form below on our secure website. Western Field Ornithologists welcomes your scholarship application. Send or email your supporting documents to Robbie Fischer, WFO Youth Scholarships, 1359 Solano Dr., Pacifica, CA 94044. For further information send email to Robbie Fischer at contact@westernfieldornithologists.org. Once your completed application and supporting documents are received, a member of the scholarship committee will be in touch with you to confirm their receipt.