The Women’s Wildlife Conservation Scholarship was established by the NRA Women’s Policies Committee and supported by funds from the NRA Foundation. It is a one-year scholarship available to full-time college sophomores, juniors or seniors majoring in a field of wildlife management, forestry, parks, or fish and wildlife conservation. This year’s application deadline is Oct. 15, so if you know a woman who might qualify, please invite her to apply!
For 2024, the two winners of $5,000 scholarships were Sarah Hougard and Libby Babcock.
Hougard is from Union Grove, Wisc. She attends the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a major in wildlife ecology and management, with the goal of becoming a wildlife biologist specializing in either migratory game birds or big-game species. She strives to work with the wildlife directly, but also to work with the public to educate all ages about conservation and species survival. Sarah also is a member of multiple related organizations, including her university’s Wildlife Society chapter, Ducks Unlimited student chapter, the Wisconsin Youth Conservation Congress, the Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps, the Wisconsin Elk Monitoring Project with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources—plus she volunteers with youth at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo. In her spare time, she enjoys wildlife photography, hunting, fishing, hiking, knitting, sewing, reading and baking.
Babcock is from Adamsville, Pa., and her enthusiasm for conservation is also evident. She attends Allegheny College, working toward a degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability. She has found a real love for research and the field of wildlife conservation and habitat management and restoration. She strives to become a wildlife biologist or game warden within the Pennsylvania State Game Commission or the National Park Systems. Both avenues would allow her to work in either science and research or to work with the public regarding animal conservation, hunting regulations and a general betterment of the environment for the wildlife. Babcock also participates as an executive board member for Grounds for Change, and she is active in Students for Environmental Action. Additionally, she is a member of the track and field team. She enjoys hunting, kayaking and reading.
We anticipate great things from these two women! And the Women’s Policies Committee looks forward to a new crop of impressive and varied applicants for the scholarship in 2025. We hope you will share this opportunity with women you know who are invested in building a sustainable and healthy future for our wildlife. Simply tell them to go to awards.nra.org and click on “Scholarships” for more information.
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