Gladys Black Scholarship
Recipients Announced

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This article was written and posted on INHF's website in June of 2006.

Three Iowa high-schoolers were recently honored for their interest and work in conservation. Rachel Gorter of Pella Christian High School, Chasen Stevenson, of Knoxville High School and Reese Worthington, of Pleasantville High School were all awarded the Gladys Black Scholarship in May.

The scholarship, funded by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, is offered to students living in Marion County or graduating from a Marion County high school who demonstrate a strong interest in nature and conservation and plan on pursuing a career in a conservation or natural resource-related field.

Gorter, of Otley, Iowa, has helped with stream water monitoring through an advanced biology course and plans on studying plant science at Dordt College. Stevenson was president of his 4-H club during his senior year, and a member since 1997. He is also actively involved on the family farm and will attend Iowa State University, majoring in agronomy and minoring in animal science. Worthington has participated in various conservation activities, including water monitoring for Iowater in the White Breast watershed and helping with prairie burns and restoration. He will be attending Luther College, majoring in biology.

The Red Rock Environmental Education Fund (RREEF) administers the Gladys Black Scholarship in Marion County. Jack Bensink, RREEF president, said he’s glad to know conservation in Iowa is in good hands.

“We are pleased and excited to have these exceptional young people choose a profession involving agriculture and conservation,” he said. “We are happy to know the next generation of Iowans are interested in preserving what their families before them have come to value so much.”

The Gladys Black Scholarship was established to honor Gladys Black, a self-taught birder and writer. Black has spent over 35 years doing volunteer work with birds, identifying numerous birds in the Red Rock region and writing newspaper columns and books on Iowa birds.

The scholarship was an offshoot of INHF’s efforts to protect a 38-acre woodland in Marion County that Gladys frequented, now known as the Gladys Black Bald Eagle Refuge. Contributions to the project from individuals, businesses, corporations, government entities and other nonprofit organizations surpassed INHF’s fundraising goal for acquisition and protection of the land. The additional funds were donated to the Gladys Black Scholarship Fund.

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