The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCSP) at the University of Washington is a multi-summer, undergraduate experiential learning experience that explores conservation across climate, water, food and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. DDCSP@UW supports emerging conservation leaders to develop unique perspectives and skill sets by drawing connections between conservation, individual and community identities, biodiversity and environmental justice.
DDSCP emphasizes the importance of increasing inclusiveness and diversity in the professional field of conservation and thus aims to train a highly diverse cohort of students.
This program is intended for students in either their freshmen or sophomore year of undergraduate studies because it takes place over the span of two summers for eight weeks at a time.
Breakdown of the program:
Summer 1: Classroom-in-the-Field
Classroom-in-the-Field provides students with natural and social science skills needed to develop and realize their vision for conservation.
During eight weeks of traversing a wide variety of ecological and cultural landscapes among the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest, Classroom-in-the-Field explores biodiversity conservation through the four fundamental systems of climate, water, food, and ecosystems.
Summer 2: Conservation Practice Teams
Each scholar conducts a research project that is designed and supported through direct collaboration with the entirety of the Conservation Practice Team, which includes 2-4 scholars, a host site (a government agency, community organization or NGO), faculty mentor and a DDCSP staff mentor. Projects emphasize at least one of the four themes of Climate, Water, Food, or Ecosystems and results in a deliverable that benefits the partnering host site while supporting scholars in meeting their learning objectives (e.g. analyzed data set, report, short documentary, or conservation action).
Financial details:
In addition to providing a standard stipend, DDCSP covers the cost of travel and lodging for selected applicants.
Applying:
The application for DDCSP will re-open in November of 2017
For more information, visit http://uwconservationscholars.org/
