The Natural Resources Department at the University of Minnesota, Crookston recognizes outstanding students with a number of awards and scholarships. 

Cabela’s Conservation Award
The Cabela's Conservation Award recognizes a senior NatR student who has demonstrated significant potential to contribute to the field of conservation.  It was first awarded in 2001 and is made possible by a donation from Cabela’s^® Inc., East Grand Forks, Minnesota.  This $500 scholarship is awarded annually at UMC’s spring awards reception.  Applicants must be majoring in Natural Resources at UMC to be eligible.  The application(.pdf, 111Kb) contains a full description of the award and is due at the end of March.

Pheasant's Forever Award

The Natural Resources Department is pleased to announce the Pheasants Forever Award; made possible by a donation from the Red River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded annually to applicants majoring in Natural Resources at UMC. This award is to recognize a new transfer student and a new freshman with significant potential to contribute to the field of conservation.  The application contains a full description of the award and is due at the end of March.

Norman Pankratz Memorial Conservation Award
The Norman Pankratz Memorial Conservation Award was established to honor former UMC conservation student, Norman Pankratz (1950-1970).  It is the Natural Resources Department’s version of an “Oscar” to recognize outstanding commitment to natural resources conservation, leadership, and academic achievement.  The award, first presented in 1971, consists of a $600 scholarship ,and the name of the recipient is displayed on a plaque in the Natural Resources Department on the second floor of Owen Hall.  Award winners are nominated by the department faculty each spring.

John Polley Soil and Water Conservation Award
The John Polley Soil and Water Conservation Award was established at the 2002 Ag-Arama event on January 26,  2002, to honor a past faculty member who established the soil and water conservation program at the Crookston campus and who was a beloved teacher and mentor to students. The award is administered jointly by the UMC Natural Resources Club and the Natural Resources Department.  The award consists of a plaque on a piece of solid walnut and a $100 cash award.  The award fund is supported by donations from former students and friends of John Polley, and it is supplemented by the Natural Resources Club and individuals.  The selection criteria serve to identify the student who best exemplifies the following text which is engraved on the plaque:

"To the student who, through words and action, best represents the application of the science and art of soil, water, and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability of people and the environment.”

Application procedures and selection criteria are under development and will be posted here at a future date.

Past Recipients of UMC Natural Resources Awards

Year	Cabela’s Award	Pankratz Award	John Polley Award	Pheasants Forever Award
2008	Kristin Fritz	Erick Elgin		Eldo Fosness
2007	not awarded	Mary Jo Geldert and Micah Meyer		First Awarded in 2008
2006	not awarded	Tamara Saxton	Joe Backowski
2005	Nate Emery	Jen (Kaser) Tepovich and Nate Emery
2004	Jessica Larson	Jessica Larson and Russell Kleinschmidt	Adam Wink
2003	Dan Weber	Cheryl Isder	Tyler Janke
2002	not awarded	Dan Oberg	Dan Weber
2001	Lisa Zlutichy	Dan Weber	First Awarded in 2002
2000	First Awarded in 2001	Becky Seifert  and Emily Spinler
1999		Shane Osborne
1998		Chris Noble
1997		Jeremy Engelstad
1996		James Johansen
1995		Wayne Cymbaluk
1994		Dean Anderson
1993		Alan Melvie
1992		Kim Vesey  and Dave Marshall
1991		Laurie Lamm
1990		Tom Kramin
1989		Donovan Pietruszewski  and Mary Sundstrom
1988		Marsha Curtis
1987		James Anderson
1986		Kent Lindner
1985		Tom Fischer
1984		Barbara Lind
1983		Dave Muellner
1982		Richelle Nielsen
1981		Camilla Boeck
1980		Richard Pechacek
1979		Vicki Janisch
1978		Larry Haren  and Daneil Vakock
1977		Glen Fladmark  and Douglas Winter
1976		Gregory Peterson
1975		Kathryn Masanz
1974		David Thom
1973		Jeffrey Pagel  and Denis Ayotte
1972		Kenneth Oehlke and Bruce Paulson
1971		Steve Hottinger
		First Awarded in 1971

Other Scholarship Opportunities

The Minnesota Division Izaak Walton League of America Scholarship, awards up to $1000.00 to select students who are enrolled in programs which will lead to careers that focus on protecting the environment and/or conservation and who meet the following qualifications:

Limited to Minnesota residents who are US citizens.

1.         Applicant must be at least in his/her second year in undergraduate college.

2.         Applicant must show a need for financial assistance and list other financial aid that he/she is receiving.

3.         Scholarship to be used for tuition, books, and transportation to the school or program.

Click here for application (normally due mid-May) OR
The application is also posted on the following website:  www.minnesotaikes.org.

A $1,000 Scholarship is being offered to a deserving individual, who is pursuing a career in an aviation related field. The applicant must be accepted at an educational institution and enrolled in an aviation related program. The applicant does not have to be a member of The International Cessna 170 Association. The applicant can be a part time or full time student. Download, fill out and then send an application to: The International Cessna 170 Association, 22 Vista View Lane, Cody, WY 82414-9606 Application deadline: April 30, 2007

The Bruce Beresford Memorial Scholarship, awards up to $500.00 to freshmen students majoring in Horticulture.

The Rock Eagle Air Spray Scholarship, awards up to $600.00 to freshmen or transfer students majoring in Agricultural Aviation with a GPA of 2.0-3.0.

Find the application posted on the following website: http://onestop.umcrookston.edu/financial_aid/scholarships/specialty.htm

For further information regarding scholarships available go to: http://onestop.umcrookston.edu/financial_aid/scholarships/New.htm