Fellowships

Since 2000, National Wildlife Federation has awarded over 150 Campus Ecology Fellowships to students across the country working on projects ranging from campus-wide energy audits to implementing sustainable forestry practices; reaching more than 2.5 million students, faculty, staff and community members at the fellowship campuses. 

NWF’s Campus Ecology Fellows confront global warming on their campuses and help to educate and engage the campus community on global warming impacts and solutions. Monetary fellowship grants are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students working with other members of the faculty, staff, or administration on projects designed to help reverse global warming on campus and beyond. In addition to a modest grant, Fellows also receive project support, leadership development, recognition of their accomplishments and other perks.       

New in 2013, we are offering an Emerging Leaders Fellowship track which will offer Fellowships to post-graduate, young professionals (ages 21-35) interested in career development and leadership opportunities within the conservation movement.  The program is an extension of NWF’s successful Campus Ecology Fellows Program.  Throughout the fellowship term, selected applicants will be provided with leadership opportunities through NWF and our state affiliates, seed funding for their entrepreneurial efforts, additional leadership and skills trainings, and a diverse support network of peers and mentors.  2013 is the inaugural year of this Fellowship program.  

• Protecting Wildlife in Cities and Suburbs

  
  In an effort to protect wildlife and habitat in urban and suburban communities, NWF Habitat Fellows will work with NWF staff and state affiliates on campus and community habitat projects.  Focus areas may include establishing a campus garden; restoring or conserving campus green space; conducting survey of species on campus, especially any threatened or endangered species; sustainable landscaping, and more. Campuses will be encouraged to engage the broader community in their projects.
           

• Saving Appalachian Forests and Wildlife

  
  In an effort to protect forests and other habitat in the Appalachian region, NWF Appalachian Fellows will work with NWF staff and state affiliates on projects that will help restore the Appalachian Forest ecosystems from Alabama to Maine, making an on-going investment in education and leadership to protect these natural resources and the essential ecosystem services they provide. Projects could include, but are not limited to creating community/schoolyard certified wildlife habitats in the region, help to organize a Community Wildlife Corridor program in which trees are planted to build a “biodiversity pathway” connecting community open spaces and serving as a demonstration corridor, organize Appalachian forest listening sessions on campus to create awareness among student leaders.  
                 

• Stopping Expansion of Dirty Energy

  
  In an effort to curb carbon pollution and prevent energy companies in the U.S. from expanding coal and oil development—and related infrastructure— this Fellowship will work closely with NWF’s “Dirty Energy” Campaign to support efforts to stop new coal mines in Montana,Wyoming, and Alaska, and coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest and block expansion of tar sands pipelines in the U.S. Specifically, by helping to: Grow NWF’s youth advocacy engagement around these issues, focusing particularly on the 21-35 year old age group and help educate campus communities through NWF’s  public education campaign on the impact of dirty energy development, through a newly created online storybook that weaves together testimonials, maps, and images of what’s at stake.
  
  

• Clean Energy Solutions 

  
  In an effort to end our addiction to dirty, carbon-polluting energy and help protect Americans and wildlife, NWF Clean Energy Solutions Fellows will work with NWF staff and state affiliates to promote wildlife-friendly renewable energy projects and the state and federal policies needed to secure a clean energy future for America. An emphasis will be placed on diverse communities and colleges, and campuses will be encouraged to engage the broader community in their projects. Focus areas may include: solar energy, geothermal, wind power, transit or cleaner fleets.