Submit a one-page essay summarizing why you are deserving of this scholarship and how you would use it to further your education.

The family and friends of Jim Posewitz established this scholarship to honor his conservation legacy by establishing this scholarship. Jim Posewitz (Zoology B.S. ’57 and Fish and Wildlife Biology’61), was one of Montana’s most respected conservation leaders who pioneered protections for fish and wildlife during his 32-year, distinguished career with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The field biologist practice of gathering baseline data to ensure wildlife and fisheries resources are protected in the face of development is an enduring legacy of Posewitz’s work. Early in his career as a fisheries biologist, the data his team gathered led to cancellation of proposed Missouri River dams upstream from Fort Peck, preserving a river now in the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Later, while administrator for the Ecological Services Division, he guided the International Joint Commission addressing water quality in the Flathead River System and helped prevent development of an open-pit coal mine in the Canadian portion of the Flathead drainage. Under his leadership, the importance of in-stream flows for fish and wildlife was documented and defended. In addition, he was instrumental in defending the Yellowstone River, the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states, as well as the Missouri and Kootenai against dam projects.

Provide the name and email address of a mentor/faculty member in the Ecology Department or on your committee who may supply a letter of recommendation.

A letter of recommendation is not required to be considered for this scholarship.