Richard Smith (left), Warren County Conservation District Board Director, presented the Ralph G. Eckert Scholarship to Travis Cunningham, a 2010 graduate from Youngsville High School who will be attending Penn State University, University Park Campus. Cunningham received a $500.00 scholarship and is majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Missing from photo is Timothy Benedict who also received a $500.00 scholarship. Benedict has been attending Penn State University, majoring in Forest Technology.

Application period is closed for 2009/2010.  

This scholarship is named for Ralph Eckert, who served in the Soil Conservation Service in Warren County, PA from 1950-1966.  A Penn State graduate in Forestry, Mr. Eckert devoted his entire life to conservation issues.  He was a frequent lecturer and instructor of youth on proper stewardship of our natural resources.  He was also active in the Boy Scout movement, wrote columns for the local newspaper, and contributed articles to Outdoor magazine.  In addition, Mr. Eckert was instrumental in planning and developing the Outdoor Ecology Lab at Eisenhower High School in Russell, PA.  The Warren County Conservation District is proud to offer this scholarship in his name, to promote the love of the outdoors, the conservation of the environment, and wise management of natural resources through education.  

The Ralph G. Eckert Scholarship has been awarded annually since 1973 by the Warren County Conservation District to a deserving Warren County, Pennsylvania student planning to continue her/his education in a conservation related field or service.  

This would be a career choice that would directly serve the goal of conserving our natural resources.   

Below is a list of degrees to illustrate some examples:  

                              Forestry                                                       Biology  

                              Wildlife Management                               Natural Sciences  

                              Environmental Planning                          Environmental Engineering  

                              Agronomy                                                   Soil Science  

                              Earth Science  

Application deadline is April 1, 2010.  

Eckert Scholarship Application (Word Version)  

Eckert Scholarship Application (PDF Version)  

The scholarship is a dedicated fund designed to provide for the immediate needs of Warren County students pursuing careers in conservation related fields, at the same time providing for the future needs of all Warren County residents by conserving our environment through education and service.  

Donations to the Eckert Scholarship fund are accepted from environmentally concerned citizens at:  

          Warren County Conservation District  

          300 Hospital Drive, Suite D  

          Warren, PA 16365