The Okanogan County Ecology Scholarship Fund exists to support youth living, studying or working in Okanogan County who participate in ecology studies or projects, with consideration for interests in agriculture, fish & wildlife, transportation, energy sources, recycling or any other domain to which ecological ideals may be applied.
This year, we are offering two ways to apply:
1. Essay Scholarship – Share your passion for the environment through a written essay and short responses for a chance to win a $500 award.
2. Action-Grant Project – Team up with friends or apply individually to propose a hands-on project that benefits the environment and your community. Winners will receive $1,000–$2,000 to bring their ideas to life!
This scholarship, supported by community donors and volunteers, is open to high school and college-age students with a connection to Okanogan County. Whether through writing or action, we invite you to showcase your dedication to ecology and sustainability.
2025 Application Due May 9th
Congratulations to our past Okanogan County Ecology Scholarship Winners!
The Ecology Scholarship Fund so appreciates all the dedicated, hard-working young people who have applied for our scholarship. Every year, we work hard to encourage a diverse and inclusive community of young folks to apply, who can demonstrate their passion for the environment, sustainable living, and community service. Whether they were ultimately award winners or not, we give thanks for each applicant and their efforts to build a better world.
2020 Award Winners
Alexandrea Bevan-Church, Conconully-Omak
David Ray, Oroville
Haileyl Shiflett, Okanogan
Stella Gitchos, Twisp
2021 Award Winners
Mathew Zesiger, Okanogan
Lena Nelson, Winthrop
Anna Williams, Pateros
2022 Award Winners
Madison Wirth, Tonasket
Devon Ramos, Tonasket
2023 Award Winners
Joseph Kammeyer-Lazano --- Choice Alternative High School, Tonasket
Abby Steinshouer --- Tonasket High School, Wenatchee Valley College, Omak
Paige Wirth --- Wenatchee Valley High School, Omak
Dan Keane --- Tonasket Valley High School
2024 Award Winners
Joseph Kammeyer-Lazano --- Choice Alternative High School, Tonasket
Savannah Romine - Omak High School
Abbey Steinshouer - Western Washington University
Maia Deebach - Tonasket High School
Our award winners have shown outstanding leadership and initiative in a wide variety of activities, including leading their school environmental club, organizing climate awareness forums in their school and community, pursuing ecology studies in college, collecting data and working to enhance river habitat, advocating for low income families to access healthy, sustainable food, and lobbying our state legislature about climate change.
Through the years, the Okanogan County Ecology Scholarship Fund will continue to advocate and support our award winners, and strive to raise enough funds to recognize and support many more of these great young people who give us so much hope for our future!
Each scholarship application is reviewed and scored by a team of community volunteers. A big THANK YOU to the volunteer reviewers who have given their time and energy in support of student ecology leaders!
2020 Reviewers
Doug Woodrow, Lorah Super, Montie Smith, Tara Rickabaugh
2021 Reviewers
Montie Smith, Amy Martin, Jennifer Weddle, Diane MacFarland
2022 Reviewers
Woody Rehanek, Jennifer Weddle
2023 Reviewers
Woody Rehanek, Jennifer Weddle, Rob Thompson
2024 Reviewers
Woody Rehanek, Jennifer Weddle, Rob Thompson