Many of today’s youth are passionate about working in the environmental field. What they often lack is an understanding of the career paths and opportunities that are available to them. By working with students, Broad Water looks to the future by showcasing their role in taking action and responsibility in preserving natural resources through ecological restoration, specifically highlighting how both public and private investment work together to protect our environment’s greatest assets.
BWI’s education program aims to bridge that gap by visiting with high school students taking AP and IB Environmental Science and sharing real life experiences of what working in the field of ecological restoration and stewardship is like. Throughout the year, BWI coordinates panels of industry professionals to 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 would prefer to throw on your muck boots and do stem counts and monitoring in the field every day, there is a job for you in this space,” said BWI President, Tee Clarkson. “The kids love to hear that!”
In addition to a day of onsite education, BWI regularly hosts summer interns giving them the opportunity to gain a more extensive, real-life experience in the field of ecological restoration and monitoring.
Program Overview Click hereBWI recently closed out its 2025 scholarship cycle. We received 11 detailed application packages, which were reviewed and scored by an independent panel. Two applicants received the same overall score, and both students were awarded a $2,500 scholarship toward their environmental studies.
Flora Freer-Stubbs of Chesterfield is a 2025 graduate of Clover Hill High School, entering her first year at the College of William & Mary. Her intended field of study is Marine Science & Integrated Conservation. During high school, Flora attended the Richmond-based Blue Sky Fund Outdoor Leadership Institute, was one of six students statewide selected for the Summer Regional Governor's School Marine Science Apprenticeship, and attended a summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center to develop an Earth Observing Mission that would collect data and aid in response to hazardous events as a result of climate change. Flora also participated in a model United Nations and advanced jazz band.
Greyson Stewart of Leesburg is a 2025 graduate of Heritage High School, entering his first year at Virginia Tech. His intended field of study is Environmental Science. During high school, Greyson served as president of the environmental club, volunteered with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, and received AP Scholar status from the College Board. His high school team won the NASA Plant the Moon competition in Virginia, in which teams compete to grow crops in lunar substrate and report their findings. He also plays guitar and founded a band called John Toad.
While these two students stood out in the ranking process, all 11 applicants shared similar stories of academic success and community leadership.
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
