The goal of the UCSC Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program is to accelerate and nurture young leaders in conservation, across disciplines, who can contribute to diversifying, redefining, and strengthening efforts to protect land, wildlife, and water. Each year we select 20 exceptional early-undergraduate Scholars from around the country to participate (fully funded + stipend) in a two-year conservation mentorship, research and leadership program centered on eight-week summers between academic years. Scholars participate in an immersive field course in conservation research and leadership during their first summer, and a professional internship in a conservation organization in their second summer. Scholars return for a professional career workshop after their second summer and join the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Network for life.
We firmly believe that an inclusive, diverse conservation movement that represents all of us will be more effective and more just at facing the real, but surmountable conservation challenges of today. Our source of optimism comes from the steadfast determination and incredible accomplishments of the Scholar community, with over 100 UCSC DDCSP Alumni and hundreds more from other DDCSP Programs.
We are excited to connect with others who share our optimism and can help us accelerate these future leaders. We would like to build new mentoring partnerships for second-year internships, bring more voices into our first-year field course, and most importantly expand the network for our Scholars. We hope to be a resource as organizations look to recruit talented young conservation professionals, and connect folks who share our vision for a stronger, more diverse conservation community.