Scholarships

Conservation Achievement Scholarship Program

The Illinois Conservation Foundation awards the annual Conservation Achievement Scholarship to encourage the next generation of leaders to preserve and enhance a sustainable outdoor environment.

Up to four one-time scholarships of $2,000 are given to outstanding high school seniors in Illinois who have demonstrated effective, voluntary and long-term dedication to the preservation, protection, enhancement and/or promotion of Illinois' natural resources.

The Conservation Achievement Scholarships have been awarded since 2005 thanks largely to generous donations from numerous organizations and individuals. A total of $194,000 has been awarded to 95 scholarship winners.

Applicants must be Illinois residents and a senior in an Illinois high school during the year of the scholarship award.

The 2026 Conservation Achievement Scholarship application perios is now open. Applications msut be recieved by March 1, 2026 to be considered. 

To download the 2026 Scholarship Application, please click here. 

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Braden Rogers

Chana; Stillman Valley High School

Braden Rogers, a dedicated community leader since joining 4-H at age 8, has spearheaded environmental initiatives such as roadside cleanups and invasive species removal. His efforts in collecting over two tons of plastic for Trex benches have benefited multiple community sites, including libraries and senior centers. Braden’s leadership extends to his school’s Environment Club, inspiring peers to join in conservation efforts. He will attend the University of Wisconsin Platteville, continuing to advocate for environmental stewardship.

Coy Fox

Coulterville; Pinckneyville Community High School

Inspired by his parents' dedication to nature, Coy Fox has spent his high school years actively participating in environmental conservation. His projects include forestry management, invasive species removal, and building nesting boxes for wildlife. He contributed to the "Sounds of Nature" study, identifying 59 bird species in six days. Coy also assisted in the USACE Rough Fish Round-Up, removing invasive carp from the Kaskaskia River. Passionate about sustainable hunting, he has inspired friends to appreciate and engage in nature responsibly. Coy will attend Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville this fall.

Doriana Mierow

Caledonia; Belvidere North High School

Doriana Mierow's passion for nature began with raising Monarch butterflies, leading her to plant milkweed and advocate for local conservation efforts. In high school, she fundraised to protect Bell Bowl Prairie and raised awareness about the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee. Despite the prairie’s demolition, Doriana's discovery of a rusty-patched bumble bee in her garden inspired her to create a prairie habitat at home. She plans to study entomology at Purdue University to further her commitment to environmental preservation.

Felicity Hunt

Decatur; Warrensburg-Latham High School

Felicity Hunt has demonstrated a strong commitment to conservation through her leadership and service at Rock Springs Nature Center, where she maintains trails, cares for hummingbirds, and assists with community events. As a member of the Decatur Area Audubon Society, she expands her knowledge of local conservation efforts through bird hikes and counts. Felicity has also contributed to biological research by banding birds and studying their immune responses. She plans to continue her research as an honors student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, aiming to become a biology professor dedicated to environmental conservation.

Gwendolyn Happ

Homer; Heritage High School

Gwendolyn Happ has dedicated five years to volunteering at Champaign County Forest Preserves, assisting with events, creating educational artwork, collecting seeds, removing invasive species, and participating in mussel surveys. Through her FFA project, Gwen Happ’s Pollination Station, she grows and sells native plants, spreading awareness about their importance. Gwendolyn also cultivates a pollinator garden and is developing a prairie on her property. She is organizing a Native Plant Festival and Sale at Parkland College to promote community engagement in conservation. Gwendolyn will attend Parkland College this fall, continuing her environmental advocacy.

Jensen Coonradt

Aurora; Oswego East High School

Jensen Coonradt has committed to restoring native prairies and biodiversity. Starting with organizing environmental cleanups and riparian planting sessions, Jensen developed a solar-powered water quality monitoring system to enhance pond health. As a leader in the school Ecology Club, Jensen established a native prairie and a Hügelkultur garden to supply fresh produce to the Kendall County Food Pantry. To inspire others, Jensen founded Seeds of Hope, creating seed libraries in schools and public libraries, distributing over 8,340 native plant seeds. Jensen will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall to further their environmental impact.

John Peterson

Charleston; Charleston High School

John Peterson has demonstrated a strong commitment to conservation through his involvement in Scouting and extensive volunteer work. Earning the World Conservation Award, John organized camping trips, trail maintenance, and cleaning efforts. His Eagle Scout project led over 30 volunteers in removing 3,500 saplings from the DHNC prairie, preserving its biodiversity and educational value. As a Junior Counselor Intern and Conservation Crew Intern at DHNC, John contributed over 100 hours each summer, teaching young people about nature and maintaining the center’s woods and trails. John plans to continue his conservation efforts by pursuing environmental law at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Mara Franklin

Milan; Sherrard Senior High School

Mara Franklin's high school years were defined by her dedication to conservation, aiming to become a marine biologist specializing in conservation, education, and prevention. She planned, planted, and maintained a half-acre pollinator plot at her school, earning recognition from local environmental groups. This project inspired other schools to create their own pollinator plots, with plans to expand further into local grade schools. As a Junior Zookeeper at Niabi Zoo, Mara educated the public on animal conservation. This summer, she plans to volunteer at Nahant Marsh, engaging in activities that align with their mission of conservation and education. Mara will be attending Northwest Missouri State University in the fall.

Megan Baker

Trilla; Neoga Jr-Sr High School

Megan Baker's dedication to conservation began in her freshman year when she initiated a research project to combat water pollution. With a two-acre plot donated by a local farmer, Megan planted a timber buffer strip to reduce runoff and improve water quality in a creek flowing into the Little Wabash River. Over the past three years, she has conducted water quality tests and sampled macroinvertebrates to evaluate the project's effectiveness. Her work involved surveying the plot, selecting and planting indigenous trees, and meticulously testing water samples for nutrient pollution. Megan's efforts have shown promising results in reducing pollution. She plans to pursue a master's in Forest Hydrology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and aims to work with the United States Forest Service to protect natural resources.

Robert Berlage

Chicago; Whitney M Young Magnet High School

Robert Berlage exemplifies a strong commitment to conservation nurtured on his family's northwest Illinois farm. He actively tends native grass filter strips, combatting soil erosion and fostering local wildlife. His forestry initiatives include creating pathways to enhance biodiversity. In Boy Scouts, Robert serves as an Outdoor Ethics Guide and "Leave No Trace" trainer. At Wildwood Nature Center, his Eagle Scout Project involved building outdoor play boxes depicting native ecosystems. At Brookfield Zoo, Robert conducted marine research and earned recognition as "Innovator of the Year" for pioneering high school internships. Robert will attend the University of New England to study conservation, aiming to inspire youth in environmental stewardship.

2025

Isabella Phillips, Du Quoin; Du Quoin High School
Mia Vaughn, Highland Park; Highland Park High School
Amelia Votava, Warrenville; Wheaton Warrenville High School
Molly Baxley, Champaign; Unity High School
Andrew Weatherby, Mount Prospect; John Hersey High School
Anna Bloomquist, Petersburg; Porta High School
Jack Benson, Chicago; Francis W. Parker School
Christian (Tate) Miller, Highland ; Mater Dei High School

2024

Braden Rogers, Chana; Stillman Valley High School
Coy Fox, Coulterville; Pinckneyville Community High School
Doriana Mierow, Caledonia; Belvidere North High School
Felicity Hunt, Decatur; Warrensburg-Latham High School
Gwendolyn Happ, Homer; Heritage High School
Jensen Coonradt, Aurora; Oswego East High School
John Peterson, Charleston; Charleston High School
Mara Franklin, Milan; Sherrard Senior High School
Megan Baker, Trilla; Neoga Jr-Sr High School
Robert Berlage, Chicago; Whitney M Young Magnet High School

2023

Brannon Kelly, Athens; Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Hannah Nabicht, Aurora; Waubonsie Valley High School
Lily Porter, Charleston; Charleston High School
Lydia Pultorak, Joliet; Joliet Catholic Academy
Makenzie Pamperin, Charleston; Charleston High School

2022

Allison Klemstein, Vernon Hills; Vernon Hills High School
Tanner Spencer, Rushville; Rushville-Industry High School
Will Jenkins, Raymond; Lincolnwood High School
William Weber, Flanagan; Flanagan-Cornell High School

2021

Mariama Bah, Zion; New Tech High at Zion-Benton East
Ava Grace Benstine, Oswego; Oswego High School
Levi James Buckrop, Taylor Ridge; Rockridge High School
Felicity Guttmann, Edwardsville; Edwardsville High School
Elizabeth J. Kleinert, Ashkum; Clifton Central High School

2020

Audrey Batts, Kaneland High School, Elburn
Henry Eberhart, Evanston Township High School, Evanston
Alexander Morelock, Taylorville High School, Taylorville
Natalia Rosinski, John F. Kennedy High School, Chicago

2019

Killian Marie Delaney, Frankling High School, Franklin
McKenna M. Gayon, Addison Trail High School, Addison
Shelby Mitchell, Murphysboro High School, Murphysboro

2018

Preston Launius, Sesser; Sesser-Valier High School

2017

Patricia Calderon, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Chicago
Jacob Handel, Sycamore High School, Sycamore

2016

Elizabeth Moore, Rock Island High School, Rock Island
Katelyn Toigo, Jerseyville Community High School, Grafton
Charlee Thompson, Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville

2015

Emma Buckardt, Deerfield

2014

Kenneth Bielski, Rockton Alex Handel, Sycamore