Conduct research to conserve and protect our environmental resources
Students studying topics related to environmental conservation may benefit from our Conservation Fellowship program, designed to build experience through hands-on guidance from professionals working in the field.
For both graduate and undergraduate students at accredited Virginia universities, our Conservation Fellowships support research in conservation and environmental studies. The work directly impacts both the knowledge and future conservation efforts across the Commonwealth. Topics may include flora, fauna, or community practices.
Provision and eligibility:
- Graduate Conservation Fellowship: A one-year grant of up to $8,000
- Undergraduate Conservation Fellowship: A one-year grant of up to $4,000
Final fellowship awards are selected by the Garden Club of Virginia in consultation with a university faculty member in a related field.
Deadline for acceptance of applications has passed. If you have questions please email ann@gcvirginia.org or call 804-643-4137
Notification of award: Early March 2025
See the reports from our past projects.
Conservation fellows’ work may last only a year, but the impact has long-lasting reach. Here, find all our previous fellows’ reports.
2021: “Investigating the Pollinator Promoting Potential of Virginia Solar Facilities,” (Jordan Martin, William & Mary)
2020: “Distribution and Morphology of Established Dune Species,” (Emily Riffe, Virginia Commonwealth University)
2019: “Eastern Bluebirds’ Nesting Habits and Their Response to Surrounding Noise Pollution,” (Heather Kenny, William & Mary)
Past and Current Fellows
2015 Nikki Andresen, Virginia Commonwealth University
2016 Paul M. Lacy, James Madison University
2017 Kathryn LeCroy, University of Virginia
2018 Brynn Cook, University of Virginia
2019 Heather Kenny, William & Mary
2020 Emily Riffe, Virginia Commonwealth University
2021 Jordan Martin, William & Mary
2022 Olivia Smith, William & Mary
2023 Marlena Hamilton, Christopher Newport University
2024 Geneva Waynick, Graduate Student, William & Mary
Jordan Goodrich, Undergraduate Student, Christopher Newport University
2025 Meghan Britton, Graduate Student, Old Dominion University
Austin Chinn, Undergraduate Student, University of Virginia