Last year’s scholarship winners recognized at the 2025 Summer Social on Orcas Island: Matilda Twigg (left) and Nonie Prout (right) | Staff archive

Investing in Our Future: 2026 Climate Leadership Scholarships Now Open

Exciting news for High School Seniors in the San Juan Islands!

The San Juan Preservation Trust is now accepting applications for the 7th annual Climate Leadership Scholarships. The scholarships are intended to recognize and encourage a diverse mix of young members of our island communities who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, effort, and imagination in addressing the issue of climate change, and who plan a course of collegiate study that equips them to amplify their climate-focused endeavors—whether through scientific inquiry, the arts, media, or other forms of active community engagement.

Past recipients have gone on to pursue studies and careers in Engineering, Environmental Science, Forest Ecology, and Political Science – to name a few. This is a great opportunity for a graduating senior with a passion for their natural world.

Award Details

This year’s scholarship program will award a $4,000 scholarship to each of two graduating high school seniors who attend schools (or are homeschooling) in the San Juan Islands—$2,000 per year for each recipient’s first two years of higher education.

Application Process and Timeline

  • Deadline: All complete scholarship applications must be received by Noon on Friday, May 8, 2026.

  • Notification: Scholarship winners will be informed no later than May 18.

  • Recognition: Winners will be recognized at their respective high-school graduation award ceremonies, on our website and public communications, and a spotlight during our 2026 Summer Social on Orcas Island this July.

Eligibility Requirements

We are looking for applicants from a diverse group of graduating seniors who meet all the following criteria:

  • Are residents of San Juan County.
  • Are not direct relatives of Preservation Trust board or staff members.
  • Attend high school or have been home-schooled in the San Juan Islands.
  • Plan to continue their education on a full-time basis at a community college, college, or university to which they have been admitted for the following academic year (or provide a statement regarding a planned gap year).

How to Apply

To be considered, students must submit the following:

  1. High school transcript or list of home-schooled subject areas of study.

  2. A resume that includes a list of your extracurricular activities and any part-time work.

  3. Response to one of the four essay prompts (650 to 1,200 words).

  4. Two letters of recommendation (one from a teacher/employer and one from someone else who knows you well).

To Apply: Submit all components or questions via email to Liz Doane, Education and Outreach Specialist, at: scholarships@sjpt.org

LINK: DOWNLOAD THE FULL 2026 APPLICATION GUIDELINES PDF