On March 11, the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation announced the five recipients of its annual Wildlife Scholarship Fund-- Mary Ann Bogert, Luzerne County; Peter Livengood, Fayette County; Elijah DePaulis, Adams County: Richard Novak, Allegheny County; and Emily Ritter, Wayne County.
Five students from five institutions of higher learning throughout Pennsylvania were awarded scholarships to support them in their respective wildlife and natural resource-related fields.
The fundamental goal of the Wildlife Scholarship Fund is to inspire the next generation of conservationists by presenting opportunities for students to advance their career interest in wildlife conservation.
Margaret Brittingham, professor of Wildlife Resources at Penn State and chair of the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, comments on the caliber of students applying for the awards. “We were impressed by the talent, dedication and diversity of accomplishments of our scholarship recipients and are looking forward to watching their careers develop.”
Mary Ann Bogert
Mary Ann Bogert from Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biology at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She received a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Chemistry from Keystone College in northeastern PA.
Her capstone research project at Keystone was on turkey vultures. Mary Ann has collected data on the black bear and located barn owl roosting sites to observe clutches for the Game Commission.
She is currently researching the short-eared owl, a migratory bird of conservation concern. Mary Ann is a member of The Wildlife Society, Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Mary Ann plans to pursue a PhD in Wildlife Conservation and work in the field of raptor conservation.
Peter Livengood
Peter Livengood, Dunbar, Fayette County, is pursuing dual bachelor degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology and Jurisprudence at the California University of Pennsylvania.
He is involved in migrating raptor research projects with the Hawk Migration Association of North America and as part of his undergraduate research at CUP.
He has received many commendations for his conservation service including appointment to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Youth Council on Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, designation as a Certified Conservation Ambassador for the Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy and fulfillment of an Eagle Scout service project that addressed green stormwater management at Ohiopyle State Park.
Peter plans to obtain a master’s degree in Legal Studies: Law and Public Policy at California University upon completion of his undergraduate studies. He intends to embark on a career in environmental education and migratory bird research.
Elijah DePaulis
Elijah DePaulis, York Springs, Adams County, is a sophomore at Penn State, Dubois campus, graduating this spring with an associate degree in Wildlife Technology. He plans to pursue a B.S. in Forest Ecosystem Management at Penn State, University Park campus.
Elijah was a Field Technician offering research support to two Penn State studies relating to the management of invasive species and oak regeneration. While at Penn State DuBois, Elijah served as a peer tutor, helping students learn tree identification.
He was a staff mentor at the Wildlife Leadership Academy and is an active member of the Appalachian Audubon Society, Camp Hill.
Elijah is a conservation volunteer for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in Sinnemahoning State Park. He is a board member of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology. His future goal is to become a land manager.
Richard Novak
Richard Novak, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, is a senior at Penn State, University Park campus, graduating this spring with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Upon graduation, he will continue at Penn State to complete a M.S. in Ecology.
Richard has been a forestry research assistant for the last four years collecting and analyzing leaf litter samples, taking forest measurements, identifying trees and invasive shrubs.
He is currently a student trainee on the Endangered Species Program Team of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where he is acquiring data on the Bog Turtle.
Richard volunteers in the Spring Creek Trout Unlimited Veterans Service Program where he mentors veterans and their families on how to fly fish. Richard is a member of the Penn State chapter of The Wildlife Society. Upon graduation, Richard intends to become a natural resource professional in a state or federal agency.
Emily Ritter
Emily Ritter, Beach Lake, Wayne County, is a junior at Millersville University of Pennsylvania majoring in Biology with a concentration in Animal Behavior. Emily’s field experience includes gathering data on the Allegheny Woodrat and the common tern as part of Project Puffin.
She has researched invasive species, analyzing their impact on endangered animals and trapped Walnut Twig beetles for observation. Emily is vice president of the Entomology Club at Millersville University.
She hopes to pursue a career as a field biologist with the goal of protecting endangered and threatened species.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation website.
(Photos: top row-- Mary Ann Bogert, Luzerne County; Peter Livengood, Fayette County. Bottom row-- Elijah DePaulis, Adams County: Richard Novak, Allegheny County; and Emily Ritter, Wayne County.)
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[Posted: March 12, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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