The Wyss Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes land conservation in the U.S. West, has selected three Yale students as 2014 Wyss Scholars —
Benjamin Hayes M.F. ‘15,
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Marsters M.E.M. ‘16 M.B.A. ‘16, and
Mordechai Treiger LAW ‘15.
The Wyss Scholars Program supports graduate-level education for up-and-coming leaders in western land conservation. The awards cover up to half the tuition and expenses needed to earn a master’s degree, and provides post-graduate payments to Wyss Scholars who gain employment working on western conservation issues.
Scholars also receive funding to cover conservation work experience in summer research or internships, plus funding to conduct special programming on western land conservation issues while at Yale.
“Tackling the increasingly complex natural resource and conservation challenges facing the West will require the brightest and most creative minds of this generation,” said
Molly McUsic, president of the Wyss Foundation. “We are excited to support Ben, Lizzie, and Mordechai as they continue to grow as problem-solvers and conservation leaders for our country.”
Hayes, who is interested in making large areas of working forest and grassland financially viable while providing services to human populations and wildlife, will spend this summer working on issues related to “community forest” finance in Oregon. Specifically, he will explore income stream diversification and community value from conservation lands.
“I’m thrilled and honored to have received this scholarship,” he said. “It’s humbling to see the magnitude of land conservation issues facing the West, but equally exciting to continue working towards a better future for communities and ecosystems throughout the region. The Wyss Foundation’s investment in land and education is a true gift to the entire country.”