Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation Awards Over $500,000 for 2011 Switzer Environmental Fellowships and Grants
BELFAST, Maine, Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twenty environmental scholars were announced today as recipients of the Switzer Environmental Fellowship. This is the 25th year of the Switzer Environmental Fellowship Program of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation that recognizes the achievements of environmental leaders and their potential to drive positive change. Seven grants were also awarded to Switzer Fellows addressing critical environmental issues.
2011 SWITZER FELLOWSHIPS
This year's Switzer Fellows were chosen from universities in California and New England to receive one of the nation's most prestigious academic awards for environmental leaders. Each year for the past 25 years, at least 20 promising environmental leaders have been awarded $15,000 each to complete master's and doctoral degrees to advance their skills and develop their expertise to address critical environmental challenges.
"The 2011 Switzer Environmental Fellows are preparing to address the most complex environmental issues of our time through academic disciplines at the cutting edge of science and policy. These individuals are united in their focus to actively apply their problem-solving abilities and innovations in the environmental realm," explained Executive Director Lissa Widoff.
The Switzer Foundation identifies, supports and nurtures emerging environmental leaders. Fellowships are merit-based and rigorously competitive. Candidates must be recognized for their leadership capacity by their academic institution or by environmental experts.
Board Chair Jen Sokolove adds: "The heart of the Switzer Foundation is about supporting environmental leaders who are able to think across traditional disciplinary boundaries and shape the future of environmental science, policy and study."
More information on the 2011 Switzer Fellows and the Leadership Grants recipients can be found at www.switzernetwork.org.
The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation is a results-driven family foundation that invests in individuals and organizations that drive positive environmental change. Founded in 1986 the Foundation is a grantmaking organization that mobilizes leaders from diverse disciplines who focus on integrated solutions to environmental problems. Over 12.5 million dollars has been given through the Switzer Environmental Fellowship Program and related grants, the Foundation supports a network of over nearly 500 Fellows who are leaders in nonprofit, public policy, business, academic and government sectors working to solve today's environmental challenges.
CONTACTS: |
Lissa Widoff, Executive Director |
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(207) 338-5654 / [email protected] |
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Lauren Hertel, Communications Manager |
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SOURCE Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation
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