Scholarships Available For Wildlife Conservation, Forestry Fields   Alleghany County and Covington high school and college students interested in or studying wildlife conservation and forestry-related fields are eligible to apply for one the Appalachian Habitat Association scholarships (AHA) being offered this spring. The non-profit AHA is offering five scholarships that will be awarded to students who will or are planning to pursue an education that will lead to a two-year or higher degree in a course of study associated with Forestry, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Habitat Management, Conservation Resources, Conservation Criminal Justice or a similar field associated with improving wildlife habitat and/or protecting wildlife. Students from the Counties of Botetourt, Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Craig, Highland and Rockbridge, and the Cities of Buena Vista, Covington, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro are eligible for the scholarships. The non-profit AHA will accept applications from 2021 graduating high school seniors and post-secondary students currently enrolled in programs at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, Va. Tech or an institution with an accredited program as identified above. Scholarships in the amount of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 (2) and $1,000 will be awarded to the top five applicants, respectively. A Rocky Forge Wind and Apex Clean Energy grant to AHA supports the scholarship program. Scholarship applications are available by emailing info@appalachianhabitat.org or edmccoy@ujroutdoors.com. Applications may also be downloaded from the AHA website at appalachianhabitat.org/scholarships. Fully completed applications should be returned to the mailing address on the application or by email at nfo@appalachianhabitat.org by May 31, 2021. For more information, contact Ed McCoy at info@appalachianhabitat.org or by calling 540-339-0622. The Appalachian Habitat Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was established to maintain and promote a science-based approach to the management of wildlife habitat for the benefit of game and non-game species on publicly owned federal and state lands that are primarily in the Virginia counties of Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Highland, Rockbridge, and Craig. Its mission includes helping fund wildlife improvement projects and hunter access on National Forest and Department of Wildlife Resources land, and providing financial assistance through scholarships for students studying in the fields associated with conservation, forestry and wildlife management. Those wanting to support this mission can get more information and make contributions on the AHA website (appalachianhabitat.org) or email appalachianhabitat.org.

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