Virginia Tech accepting applications for Garden Club of America national urban forestry fellowship

Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment is currently accepting applications for a national urban forestry fellowship offered by the Garden Club of America and made possible through the generous donations of its Zone VI members, national membership, and Casey Trees.

With this fellowship, the Garden Club of America seeks to forward its goal of advancing knowledge of urban forests and increasing the number of scientists in the relatively new field of urban forestry. A selection committee from Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation will include practicing urban forestry scientists and professionals in related fields to review applications, with the Garden Club of America endorsing their final selection.

The fellowship is open to both advanced undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in urban forestry, forestry, horticulture, environmental studies, or a closely related field at any four-year college or university degree program in the United States. Recipients must be U.S. students who will be enrolled as juniors, seniors, or graduate students during the fellowship period (2011-2012). The award is for $4,000 and recipients may apply for one additional year of funding.

• For application forms and instructions, visit the Zone IV Fellowship in Urban Forestry website. For more information, e-mail Susan Day or call (540) 231-7264. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2011.

The Garden Club of America strives to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to share the advantages by means of educational meetings, conferences, correspondence, and publications, and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and actions in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.