Many of today’s youth are passionate about working in the environmental field. What they often lack is an understanding of the diverse career paths and opportunities in conservation. Broad Water works with students, showcasing their roles in taking action and responsibility to preserve natural resources through ecological restoration. Broad Water demonstrates how public and private investment work together in protecting our greatest environmental assets.
BWI’s education program connects student values with career opportunities by meeting with high school students taking AP and IB Environmental Science. We share real-life experiences of working in ecological restoration and stewardship. BWI coordinates with panels of industry professionals who visit classrooms and host students in the field at restored ecological sites.
“If you want to work at a computer building plans for stream and wetland restoration, there is a job for you in this space. If you prefer to throw on your muck boots and do stem counts and field monitoring every day, there is a job for you in this space,” said BWI Executive Director Tee Clarkson. “The kids love to hear that!”
In addition to facilitated classroom education, BWI hosts summer interns for a more extensive, real-life experience in the field of ecological restoration and monitoring.
Richmond’s Blue Sky Fund Outdoor Leadership Institute attends BWI’s service learning day at U. of Richmond eco-corridor, December 2024.
BWI offers a $2,500 scholarship for college students who have applied to, or are enrolled in, a program in natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies. The application period is March 1-June 1. The award will be announced after July 15. Applications should be emailed to BWI Executive Director Tee Clarkson, per the instructions. For general questions contact Woodie Walker woodie@broadwaterinnovations.org
