Stevenson wins conservation scholarship

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in May of 2008.

Kirn Stevenson of Knoxville is a 2008 recipient of the Gladys Black Scholarship

Kirn Stevenson of Knoxville was selected to receive a 2008 Gladys Black Scholarship. Kirn, son of Rick and Tamra Stevenson, is a 2008 graduate of Knoxville High School.

The Gladys Black Scholarship Fund was created to memorialize Gladys Black, a Marion County bird expert and author, and to launch her county’s next generation of conservationists and naturalists.

While raising funds to purchase the Gladys Black Bald Eagle Refuge, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) directed additional funds to establish this scholarship. INHF is a nonprofit conservation group that has protected more than 100,000 acres throughout Iowa. The award is coordinated locally with the Red Rock Environmental Education Fund.

Kirn will attend Iowa State University this fall. He is planning to major in agricultural studies with a minor in animal science.

Kirn has been active in many high school activities related to farming and conservation, including Future Farmers of America and 4-H. For example, his FFA activities include competing on the soil judging team, watershed testing and planting oak trees by Lake Red Rock.

His scholarship award letter commends Kirn’s efforts to provide proper nesting habitat for meadowlarks and to educate elementary school children about good land management and conservation.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.