"This fellowship opportunity will greatly promote my life's goal of making a difference in protecting and restoring the environment and integrity of our planet." —Abraham Henn	"I came to NAU because of the progressive direction of the environmental sciences and education department." —Moran Rosenthal-Henn		"This fellowship is a vote of confidence that society considers what I am doing to be important." —Larissa Sommer
"There are many in our program—both faculty and students—who really have the drive to make a difference. It really is inspiring." —Theresa Spang		"NAU's program is flexible and rigorous and it offered me the chance to pursue my specific area of study and work with great faculty." —Karin Wadsack

Doris Duke Foundation rewards NAU's future conservation leaders

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is setting it sights on Northern Arizona University for the next generation of environmental leaders.

The foundation recently identified five students who are working toward a master of science in environmental sciences and policy as Doris Duke Conservation Fellows, an honor that not only targets them as future conservation leaders, but also offers research opportunities, tuition funding and a paid internship.

NAU's graduate program offers an interdisciplinary experience and rigorous training in the natural and political sciences.

Selected students are Abraham Henn, Moran Rosenthal-Henn, Larissa Sommer, Theresa Spang and Karin Wadsack.

"We expected to receive at most three fellowships and are delighted to learn that five of our students have been identified as future conservation leaders," said Tom Sisk, a professor in environmental sciences, who runs the graduate program.

Being selected for the program "literally changed my life," said Rosenthal-Henn, who is researching the use of traditional ecological knowledge and collaboration with tribes on conservation issues by federal agencies managing public lands. "I will be able to spend more time on my actual research and will not have to work in other things to pay for school."

Since the program began in 2000, more than 30 NAU students have graduated and pursued environmental careers in industry, government and the nonprofit sector.

In 2006, NAU's program was selected as one of eight host universities nationwide for the Doris Duke Conservation Fellows Program.

"The fellowship provides opportunities to connect with current and future conservation leaders and to develop career-specific conservation skills," Spang said. "The financial assistance also is of tremendous value as it will allow me to focus solely on my research thus increasing its depth."

Spang's research focuses on strategies for managing protected areas in the United States and Russia. Wadsack is researching energy efficiency and renewable energy sources and international policies, and Sommer is focusing on climate change and the implications on Alaskan villages. Henn's work is addressing the cumulative effects of many small projects restoring river habitats in the San Juan Basin.

For information about the program and the Doris Duke Conservation Fellowships, contact Sisk at Thomas.Sisk@nau.edu.