The Sara Shallenberger Brown Garden Club of America National Parks Conservation Scholarship Grant

The Sara Shallenberger Brown Garden Club of America National Parks Conservation Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Garden Club of America
Last Updated: January 03, 2026

Summary

The Sara Shallenberger Brown Garden Club of America National Parks Conservation Scholarship, established in 2010, honors the legacy of Sara 'Sally' Shallenberger Brown, promoting careers in environmental conservation. This scholarship supports U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in U.S. institutions, offering mentorship and practical experience in National Parks. Funded in partnership with the Student Conservation Association, it aims to cultivate future conservation leaders through hands-on projects and comprehensive training, ensuring a lasting impact on the environment.

Overview

History Established in 2010, the scholarship is a tribute to the late Sara “Sally” Shallenberger Brown. It was launched in 2011 to showcase Mrs. Brown's dedication to the environment and ensure that her legacy will continue in perpetuity. A member of the Glenview Garden Club of Louisville, Kentucky, since 1939, Sally Brown gave many years of active and influential service to environmental issues and conservation organizations on a local, national, and global level. The establishment of the scholarship both commemorated Sally’s 100th birthday and honored the centennial of the National Park Service. The Brown scholarship was established in partnership with the Student Conservation Association, which was itself founded by Elizabeth “Liz” Putnam, a member of the Bennington Garden Club of Bennington, Vermont. For more about the Student Conservation Association, click here. Purpose To encourage studies and careers in the conservation fields, with the opportunity to protect, enhance, and gain knowledge and experience for the lasting benefit of the U.S. National Parks. The Sara Brown GCA National Parks Scholarship will fund at least one (or more) SCA Apprentice Crew Leader (ACL), Leader, and/or Apprentice annually. ACLs and leaders will provide support, encouragement, and mentorship of high school crews engaged in hands-on conservation projects. Apprentices will work under the direct oversight of a land management agency or organization to address specific needs, which often include, but are not limited to, field data collection and management, visitor interpretation and education, and direct service work that maintains trails and improves habitats. The goal will be to provide a college or graduate student enrolled in a U.S.-based institution with the technical and personal skills and field experience to become a future leader in challenging and rewarding conservation service work. Provisions Annually provides training and a stipend for each scholar. The scholarship’s founders hope that students will build on their enhanced technical and interpersonal skills and become conservation leaders or pursue related careers in environmental education or outdoor leadership training.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Open to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are currently and actively enrolled in a U.S.-based institution.

Ineligibility

Due to IRS restrictions, GCA is unable to fund awards for international applicants.