Noteworthy Past Events
Americorps NCCC Team at the North Springfield Bog
On Saturday, 24 August 2018, an Americorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team cleared vegetation that had overgrown portions of the bog boardwalk. This clearance was long overdue as portions of the boardwalk were impassable. (AMAS board members had attempted the clearance last spring, but left most of the job incomplete due to the strenuous nature of the work). The connection between AMAS and Americorps NCCC was made at the July BioBlitz at Hoyt’s Landing when Nick Skarmeas, a Corps Member, approached AMAS to offer services related to a local environmental stewardship project. Needless to say, the offer was very welcome.
The Americorps NCCC team made up of Emily Brough, Kyla Cahal, Darius Leiba, and Fisher Ream was a wellspring of youthful enthusiasm and strength. The team was pleased to provide this service; each of them commented on the unique and special environment of the bog. None of them had seen a bog prior to their visit; now they can say that they have been in a bog, literally!
AMAS sincerely thanks these wonderful young adults for their dedication to service. See pictures below:
Scholarships
For more information about the AMAS scholarship, please contact Wilda Pelton at 802-885-9517 or consult with your school guidance department for information on VSAC scholarships.
2022
Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society has selected Aria Yuengling from Weathersfield as the recipient of its 2022 $1,000 scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who lives within certain Vermont designated towns and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment. Students are required to submit an application to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation during the annual application time period.
Aria is a recent graduate of Woodstock High School and is planning on attending the University of New England this fall to study marine biology. After completing her studies, Aria is hoping to obtain research-based jobs related to coral rehabilitation, ocean acidification, and conservation of marine animals and habitats. Eventually she hopes to specialize in specific organisms, including cephalopods, stingrays and creature of the twilight and midnight zones. AMAS congratulates Aria and wishes her much success.
2020
Ascutney Mountain Audubon has selected Virginia Snyder from Windsor High School as the recipient of its 2020 $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who lives within certain Vermont designated towns and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment. Students are required to submit an application to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation during the annual application time period.
Virginia responded to AMAS saying: “I am so honored to be this year’s scholarship recipient. Now, more than ever, it is so critical to be fighting for the environment in any way we can. Whether you’re protecting habitats, marching in the street, speaking in the state house, or educating the community around you, every bit takes us one step closer to a sustainable future. Thank you to the Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society and all others fighting for the environment. The progress that’s been made, and the progress that will be made, would not happen without the collective action of all of you. Your energy, time, and passion in this fight are invaluable and give my generation, and all those after us, a chance to live in a better, more equitable and biodiverse world. That is the greatest gift imaginable. Thank you for this recognition, and most importantly, your work.
Virginia has been involved in many community service projects as well as organizing a letter writing campaign, petition signings, and a climate change strike for which she was recognized on the State House floor. In January 2020, she launched an online organization that works to educate and connect activists from around Vermont and sets up the beginnings for a formal, youth legislative body.
2018
Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society selected Sadie Wood from Green Mountain High School as the recipient of its 2018 $1,300 scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who lives within certain Vermont designated towns and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment. Students are required to submit an application to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) during the annual application time period.
Sadie plans to attend Duke University this fall and will be studying environmental engineering. Sadie says, “I plan to use my environmental engineering degree to help make the world a better place. A degree in environmental engineering is at the intersection of my interests in science and civic engagement. I believe that with this study I can combine these passions and gain the understanding of our planet and its processes that I need to find solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems.”
Sadie has been involved in community service since she was very young and has been very active in the Interact Club, which is a branch of Rotary International. She helped start an annual Interact community service trip to Nicaragua. She said that her trip there “helped her to understand the value of helping others and our environment.”
Sadie thanked AMAS saying,” I am very grateful to AMAS for their generosity in awarding me this scholarship. It means so much to me.” AMAS congratulates Sadie and wishes her much success in her environmental studies and college career!
For more information about the annual AMAS college scholarship, please contact Wilda Pelton at 802-885-9517 or consult with your school guidance department for information on VSAC scholarships.
AMAS also offers scholarships to youth and adults for attendance at conservation and nature camps this summer. Camps include those offered by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and by Audubon at Hog Island in Maine. Please contact Ellen Allman (ellenallman@gmail.com) to apply for a scholarship. Scholarships are from a fund established in memory of Wally Beals.