NatureTrack’s Nancy Stearn’s Scholarship Applications Open Now — Deadline is March 15, 2025

Attention all seniors in North County High Schools.  Submissions for next year’s opportunity to earn the $5,000 NatureTrack Foundation’s Nancy Stearn’s Scholarship will be due sooner than you think.  Geared for a graduating student (2025) from a North Santa Barbara County High School, applicants should start thinking about what their essay will include and highlight. In the 500-word essay, the committee is interested in your educational and career intentions as they relate to nature as well as your goals within the field of *natural science. In addition to the completed application and essay, the student must submit a full high school transcript.  Priority will be given to a student with a financial need to pursue higher education. Support is awarded for up to four years based on acceptable performance and continuation towards a bachelor’s degree in the natural science field. The 2025 cycle for  this year’s Nancy Stearn’s Scholarship is open until March 15.  You can find all the info and apply on the organization’s website here under the “Get Involved” tab. 

Sue Eisaguirre, founder and E.D. of NatureTrack Foundation is very grateful to Brett Stearns who pledged to underwrite the scholarship in honor of his wife Nancy who was a docent for NatureTrack since it began in 2011. “We hope this scholarship will provide students with the opportunity to pursue their college education all while fostering a stronger connection to nature,” she said. Brett’s ongoing commitment ensures Nancy’s legacy will continue to empower and inspire future generations for years to come. 

Docents and committee members, Dennis and Carole Nord noted “Nancy had more love and enthusiasm for nature. She was always up for exploring flowers in bloom, birds to be discovered or the latest botanical mystery.” Nancy pursued the experience in nature for the K-12 students on field trips in our county and proved her love of nature as extremely contagious.  

This is the fifth year for the essay contest. Previous winners include Catalina Kett who’s at High Point University in North Carolina majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish; Brynley Ellsworth is studying Botany at Brigham Young U in Provo, Utah; Erin Trathern is majoring in Environmental Engineering at Oregon State U in Corvallis, Oregon; and Braiden Flaherty is at University of California, Santa Cruz where he is pursuing Marine Biology.   

The Nancy Stearns Scholarship is broken up into four disbursements with $2,000 awarded the first year  and $1,000 awarded year two, three, and four based on acceptable performance. Award is paid directly to the student’s school tuition account. For more information about the NatureTrack Nancy Stearns Scholarship or other ways you can get involved with the NatureTrack Foundation, please visit NatureTrack.org or call Sue Eisaguirre at (805)886-2047, or email her sue@naturetrack.org. 

*Natural Science includes any study of nature. Suggested desirable majors to support (not inclusive): biological sciences (botany, aquatic biology, wildlife, ecology, entomology, horticulture, animal science, plant science, etc.), earth sciences (geology, oceanography, geography, remote sensing, cartography), wildlife sciences, outdoor education and environmental sciences.  The goal of this scholarship is to support students who will find a career in support of nature: conserving, preserving, researching or sharing nature with others. If there is another major which will prepare you for that goal, please apply and explain your educational path to that goal.

If you plan to study any other topic and intend to apply your knowledge and skills to the natural world, consider applying for this scholarship.

Please Note: Does not include agriculture, health or medicine.