NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION

Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for Hillsborough County’s Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award. The honor is given annually to an individual or group who exemplifies dedication to preserving the county’s natural resources. The award is named after Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the 26th president of the United States and a noted conservationist who placed more than 200 million acres under public protection.

Residents are asked to nominate an individual or group who lives or works in Hillsborough County, shows persistence and dedication to long-term conservation of the county’s natural resources, demonstrates integrity in performance toward conservation goals and displays attributes of true conservation stewardship.

Nominations are due by Tuesday, February 28. You can get the nomination form by visiting www.hillsboroughcounty.org/ en/government/board-of-county-commissioners/t-roosevelt-hillsborough-conservation-award.

According to Ross Dickerson, MS, division manager with the Environmental Lands Management of Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department, the award was established in 2017 by August ‘Gus’ Muench, a commercial crab trapper in Ruskin. He

By Kathy L. Collins

was instrumental in getting Hillsborough County to purchase sensitive environmental lands. He donated funds to start the award. The winner receives $2,000 to work with the staf of the Environment Lands Management to do an environment project.

The 2022 winner was Michael Perry, who was with the Florida Forest Service and served as a towerman. He was a pioneer of prescribed fires in Hillsborough County, which help habitats as well as homeowners. According to Dickerson, Perry conducted prescribed fire outreach programs at events.

Dickerson said, “We get a lot of nominations for individuals, but anyone trying to make a diference in Hillsborough County can win. This includes organizations such as Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.” Dickerson added, “A lot of civic groups are doing great stuf, and they deserve to be recognized.”

Nominations will go through the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program General Committee, which will send a recommendation to the board of county commissioners for approval. The board will hold an award ceremony in the spring to coincide with National Arbor Day.

For more information and to submit nominations, please visit its website at www.hillsboroughcounty.org.

Gfwc Brandon Service League Seeks Applicants For Its Scholarship Program

The Greater Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) Brandon Service League (BSL) is seeking applications for their Annual Scholarships. BSL o f ers two scholarships for high school seniors who are attending college or university in the fall. Applications are due no later than Friday, April 21.

BSL started the scholarship program in 1996 with one scholarship. Judy Darsey, scholarship chairman, said, “While the program has changed over the years, we work hard to keep the program funded. We encourage students in the Greater Brandon area to check out the o f erings we have this year.”

Te members of the GFWC Brandon Service League invite high school seniors who are attending college or university in the fall and adult women who need to seek training or education to apply for one of its three $1,000 scholarships being ofered this year.

By Kathy L. Collins

must include, among other information, three letters of reference and a personal essay. The two scholarships for high school seniors are the Reynolds and Claire Bryan Scholarship and the GFWC BSL Education Scholarship. The first is named after a past president and her husband for their numerous contributions to the club. This has traditionally been geared toward a student who plans to pursue a degree in the arts. The second one is for seniors who want to pursue a degree in education.

High school seniors who attend a Brandon-area school may get additional information from their career guidance counselors. If you attend a charter, private or church school, email Darsey at jbdarsey@aol.com for information and an application.

Darsey said, “We know that education is expensive, and we want to help in a small way with your college fees.” Darsey added, “While our emphasis for the scholarship remains with a focus on students who want to pursue a degree in education and the arts, we are opening both scholarships for other majors.”

The $1,000 scholarships are intended as a contribution to tuition, fees or academic course materials. Your application

BSL also o f ers a scholarship geared toward the adult woman called the Renaissance Woman Scholarship. This is for the adult woman who, due to life or family changes, find themselves in need of further training or education. The woman must be attending a technical school, community college or other accredited institution of higher education.

Darsey said, “Since its inception, GFWC have been in the business of identifying the needs of the local community and then working to meet those needs through community service projects. We, the members of BSL, have upheld these goals. We feel there is a great need to help students through the scholarship program.”

For more information, please email Darsey at jbdarsey@aol.com.