Application deadline for about 14 scholarships from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 or more each, is March 31, 2018. High school seniors, college students, and graduate students in or from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties pursuing degrees in environmental-related studies can apply.

The scholarships will be awarded at a special ceremony at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island in June 2018.

This is the 12th year that DDWS will be awarding scholarships. The program began in 2005 with scholarship awards in 2006 from Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s official recreation concession. To date, DDWS has awarded $90,000.

“Tarpon Bay Explorers started the program by offering two $1,000 scholarships in 2005,” said DDWS executive director Birgie Miller. “When four applicants turned out to be highly deserving, they doubled their commitment that year. Through the years, co-owner Wendy Schnapp has increased her annual contribution to $5,000 and has awarded 41 scholarships. We applaud Tarpon Bay’s commitment to conservation education, always generous support of the refuge, and effective seeding of a program that now annually awards up to $15,000 to local students.”

The link to the application and additional information is
https://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/student-scholarships