Bald Head Island Conservancy receives $424,582 grant for STEM, conservation programs
BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The Bald Head Island Conservancy has received a $424,582 federal grant to expand training and career opportunities in conservation, environmental education and science-related fields.
The three-year grant was awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through its 21st Century Museum Professionals Program. The project runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2029, with the first grant-supported participants expected to begin in 2027.
The Conservancy said the funding will build on its existing internship, technician and fellowship programs while creating additional opportunities for high school and community college students.
Over the course of the grant, the organization plans to support 75 high school students, 44 undergraduate interns, 12 post-baccalaureate technicians and three graduate student fellows participating in the Johnston Coastal Sustainability Fellowship.
The project also will establish Sea Turtle Scientists in Training, a field-based program for Brunswick Community College biology students developed in partnership with the college.
High school participants will take part in activities including summer camps and field trips, trail maintenance and conservation fieldwork. The program will provide training and mentorship focused on STEM and leadership skills.
Undergraduate interns will participate in summer and fall programs involving environmental education, sea turtle conservation, coastal environmental science and marketing. Post-baccalaureate technicians will work in nine-month positions involving conservation, research, education and communications.
The grant will also support the Conservancy’s Johnston Coastal Sustainability Fellowship, which provides $20,000 annually to a graduate student conducting applied coastal sustainability research in partnership with the Conservancy and the student’s university.
The Sea Turtle Scientists in Training program will give Brunswick Community College biology students hands-on experience with sea turtle biology, conservation, research and data analysis.
The Conservancy said participants in the grant-supported programs will have opportunities for peer mentoring, public presentations and professional conferences.
The programs are intended to provide students and early-career professionals with experience in wildlife, ecosystems, research and public education, as well as communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
The Conservancy said the project will also focus on students and early-career professionals from coastal and rural communities, where geographic and financial barriers can make STEM and conservation opportunities more difficult to access.
Dr. Jennifer Wiggen, the Conservancy’s director of education and engagement and principal investigator for the project, said the funding will support training and professional development for people pursuing careers in environmental education and conservation science.
“This program helps build a strong pipeline of future environmental leaders,” Wiggen said.
Dr. G. Christopher Shank, executive director of the Conservancy, said the grant will expand the organization’s existing mentorship efforts and create additional opportunities for people interested in conservation science, education and museum-related careers.
