By Jeff Osmundson

Greetings members and friends of the Skagit Audubon Society

Here we are in January of a new year, a new decade and now the start of a new environmental conservation scholarship.  This year the Board discussed the idea of using $1,000 of an earlier bequest to fund a scholarship in our local community.  The Board feels that this scholarship is both an outreach to the community and a way to pay back, or pay forward, our wonderful community support.

An ad hoc scholarship committee recommended, and the SAS board approved, establishing a named scholarship for a Skagit Valley College student in the Environmental Conservation Degree Program. The scholarship will be administered through the Skagit Valley College Foundation. The ad hoc scholarship committee is working with the Foundation to establish selection criteria and screen applicants. The scholarship will be awarded in May, and we will invite the recipient to a future general meeting. 

The Board also agreed to establish an additional account to support and supplement the scholarship budget going forward.  Now Skagit Audubon members and friends have the option of donating directly to the Scholarship fund.  We will see over the next year or two if it becomes an important source of funding, but for now you have three options for donating to Skagit Audubon Society.

• The general fund
• Education
• Scholarships

According to our treasurer, Neil O’Hara, donations now make up about 30% of our annual budget.  We are extremely grateful to those that donate, and now you have another option, if you choose, to direct your contributions.  There are a number of scholarship opportunities in Skagit County and the committee chose one that could carry our name and support a student in the environmental or conservation program.  Other opportunities are available as well.  If you have an idea, please contact a board member.

Thank You Skagit Audubon Members!