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In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre has marked the occasion by presenting its inaugural Robin and Sylvia Campbell Scholarships to five individuals currently in post-secondary studies that benefit wildlife.
The Campbells are the founders of the centre, which for four decades has been caring for a variety of wildlife that include bears, eagles and bird species including rare white ravens.
The centre’s board has decided to honour the Campbells by having a scholarship named after them. It carries a monetary value of $2,000, including a one-year membership to the recovery centre.
Four of the five individuals chosen from 20 applicants to receive the inaugural scholarships, Jayden Emery, Meghan MacIsaac, Laura Kennedy and Carys Hughes, were presented the scholarship at a ceremony held June7. The fifth recipient, was not able to attend the event.
“It’s been 40 years since we accidentally made our way into caring for wildlife,” Sylvia said in her speech prior to handing out the scholarships. “With the belief that God directed us into this path, our strong work ethics, our passion and vision we developed over the years, a desire to never fail and being able to find like-minded people to help in how the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre to grew.”
Sylvia added that “40 years ago, wildlife rehabilitation was just beginning to develop. Today there are colleges and university courses. And as I read the letters from the five individuals here today, I could see the same passion come though. With humble and a desire to see you help wildlife and the environment, Robin and I are so pleased to be a part of your journey.”
One of the recipients, Emery is grateful to the many years she was involved with the NIWRC as a member of its Green Teens. The three years she spent volunteering at the centre, she said, inspired her to follow an educational path geared towards the preservation and care of wildlife and the environment.
“When I volunteered I had no idea how foundational it’s going to be for the rest of my life,” said Emery, who is taking a resource management officer technology program at Vancouver Island University. “I am incredibly grateful to be receiving this scholarship and all the support the wildlife centre has given me.”
MacIsaac is in the Master of Science in the Environmental Practice Program at Royal Road University and is expected to graduate in 2026. She has always been interested in wildlife and environmental conservation. She wants to educate people on environmental issues and protecting local wildlife and ecosystems.
Kennedy has returned to graduate school at Royal Roads as a mature student due to her interest on how we can improve urban areas for wildlife and foster coexistence through habitat restoration.
Hughes is a student in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Saskatchewan. She obtained wildlife experience and veterinary clinic work as an undergraduate. The experience she has gained in various capacities cemented her passion to work in wildlife and conservation with a focus on veterinary medicine.
Miller wants to be a conservation officer in British Columbia. He is finishing the Resource Management Officer of Technology certification and will be furthering his education by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Protection. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, he is committed to contributing to his community and making a tangible impact in the field of environmental conservation.
Board of directors president Del Kristalovich said they are excited to start the scholarships.
“We have been going to classrooms and have been doing educational tours,” said Kristalovich. “We now have reached a point where we want to make a difference with a little bit higher level of education and this is it. We are reaching out to university students and high school students that are planning on going to university courses.”
The centre plans to offer the scholarships annually.
For more information, visit https://www.niwra.org/
Michael Briones
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