Support for UW Certificate Scholarships Bring Wetland Careers Within Reach
ESA is excited to sponsor these students on their paths to becoming future leaders in the field of wetland science. We need their passionate voices, new perspectives and diverse ideas to effectively protect wetland systems.
— Margaret Clancy, Vice President and Northwest Regional Director, ESA
Seattle area environmental organizations are wading into philanthropic waters. These companies are joining a growing collective boosting diversity, equity and inclusion in the local environmental field by funding scholarships for the University of Washington Certificate in Wetland Science & Management (WSM).
Herrera Environmental Consultants, the Society of Wetland Scientists: Pacific Northwest Chapter, The Watershed Company and Shannon & Wilson join returning donor Environmental Science Associates (ESA) in supporting the UW Certificate Scholarship program. The scholarship covers course fees for adult learners in the 2021-2022 certificate in WSM program cohort who identify with groups underrepresented in the environmental science field, including the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities and first-generation college students.
“Herrera has a core value of ‘research and outreach, learn and teach,’” said Christina Merten, an associate ecologist at Herrera. “The UW Certificate in Wetland Science & Management program has a proven track record of producing top-notch wetland scientists with functional skills that are immediately employable in our industry,” she said.
“ESA is excited to sponsor these students on their paths to becoming future leaders in the field of wetland science,” said Margaret Clancy, vice president and northwest regional director at ESA. “We need their passionate voices, new perspectives and diverse ideas to effectively protect wetland systems amid climate change and other challenges.”
The only one of its kind in the region, the UW Certificate in WSM program trains students for jobs as wetland professionals by focusing on science, conservation and policy. Instructors have decades of experience in wetland and natural resource science, watershed ecology and regulatory project management with the City of Seattle, Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Environmental Consulting companies and other local, state and federal agencies.
One of this year’s WSM scholarship recipients, David Garcia, aspires to build a career in environmental consulting. “I hope to use my new skills to show young people that traditionally white industries like environmental management are accessible and inspire a new generation of environmental professionals of color.”
To be considered for the UW Certificate Scholarship, students must be a resident of Washington state, meet certain household income limits, and not have access to financial assistance from an employer to pay for the program.
“At University of Washington Continuum College, we believe in the power of education to improve people’s lives,” said Rovy Branon, vice provost at UW Continuum College. “Support from industry helps increase access to environmental and green careers for residents from underserved communities in the Puget Sound.”
Those interested in making a corporate donation to the UW Certificate Scholarship program may contact Jo Gubas, associate director of community & corporate relations at UW Continuum College, at: jgubas@uw.edu. Individual donations are also welcome and appreciated at Make a Gift - University of Washington Continuum College.