For Immediate Release, February 14, 2025
Contact:
Mati Waiya, Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation (805) 667-7818, matiwaiya@wishtoyo.org
Peter Galvin, Center for Biological Diversity, (520) 907-1533, pgalvin@biologicaldiversity.org
$78K Awarded to California Students for Utom Watershed Conservation Studies
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif.— Southern California students dedicated to the protection of Utom, also known as the Santa Clara River, have received $78,500 in scholarships and fellowships from the Utom Conservation Fund. This is the third year a group of cultural and environmental organizations have awarded funding for science students committed to conserving the biologically diverse watershed that flows through Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Eight high school or undergraduate students received scholarships of $2,000 each and five graduate students received fellowships of $12,500 each to enrich their studies of water resources and environmental protection.
“Wishtoyo is proud to be a part of the Utom Conservation Fund’s scholarship and fellowship awards,” said Mati Waiya, executive director of the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation. “We are elated to see these students so dedicated to protecting the future of the Utom. As our internship and science programs pass on our knowledge of isha’kowoch and their awe-inspiring migration through the river, we hope that these scholarships will support the student recipients on their own journey.”
The Utom Conservation Fund is managed by the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Center for Biological Diversity and the California Native Plant Society. It was established using funds set aside for conservation as part of legal agreements.
“It’s more important than ever to equip our young scientists and ambitious advocates with the resources they need to achieve their conservation goals,” said Peter Galvin, cofounder and director of programs at the Center for Biological Diversity. “It takes hard work to keep rivers flowing and ecosystems functioning. Investing in our future leaders will give our planet the fighting chance it desperately needs.”
Featuring more than 110 special-status plants and animals, Utom is the largest Southern California watershed that is still in a relatively natural state. The 116-mile river flows from the Angeles National Forest to the Pacific Ocean near Ventura. It is home to California red-legged frogs and unarmored threespine sticklebacks and is part of the migratory path of monarch butterflies.
“I’m continually inspired by the community working to preserve the Utom watershed and honor its ecological and cultural significance to the Chumash people,” said Anna Nelles, a student at UCLA and a scholarship recipient. “During my undergraduate education, I will continue to support the watershed while developing skills to further conservation efforts in the future.”
Other students receiving scholarships include: Ixchetl Saldivar of Oxnard High School, Natalia Cuellar of Cal State University Channel Islands, Elise Swarts of Rancho Campana High School, Scarlett Ornelas of Oxnard College, Kaitlin Crane of UC Santa Barbara and Allison Ruiz of Oxnard High School.
“I am truly honored to receive this fellowship, which provides an incredible opportunity to study bobcat movement ecology in the Utom watershed and contribute to its conservation,” said Betty Wong, a student at Cal Poly Pomona and a fellowship recipient.
Other fellowship recipients are Cal Poly Pomona students: Emma Miller, Anna Carson Loudermelt, Emily Montes and Kyle Osornia.
“Our Tribe is proud to support the Utom Conservation Fund and help these scholarship and fellowship recipients pursue their passion for protecting the environment,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “We are inspired by this next generation of environmental stewards, and we’re thankful for their interest in studying this sacred watershed.”
“We’re inspired by the work of the fellowship and scholarship recipients, and grateful for their contributions to our shared understanding and conservation of the Utom River watershed,” said Jun Bando, Ph.D., California Native Plant Society executive director. “California Native Plant Society is honored to join our partners in supporting these scholars and protecting the ecological and cultural value of the watershed for future generations.”
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.7 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
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