To print the 2010 Youth Achievement Scholarship form go here. (as of 9/18/09)

Illinois Conservation Foundation Announces

Youth Achievement Scholarship Winners

The Illinois Conservation Foundation announces that two high school students active in local community efforts at enhancing natural habitat are the recipients of the 2009 ICF Youth Achievement Scholarships, an outreach program recognizing high school juniors and seniors in Illinois for their work in and dedication to preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources conservation. 

Erica Cogswell of Mokena and Robert H. Richmond III of Lockport will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.     

Erica Cogswell is a senior at Lincoln-Way Community High School East in Frankfort.  She has worked as a certified trainer in the Leave-No-Trace outdoor ethics program that encourages citizens to reduce their impacts on the environment while enjoying outdoor activities.  Erica also developed an educational pamphlet about native Illinois prairie plants as a Girl Scouts project and has worked on prairie habitat enhancement projects with the local Frankfort Square Park District. 

Robert H. Richmond III is a junior at Lockport Township High School.  He has worked with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County on fisheries habitat enhancement as part of his work toward achieving his Eagle Scout rank, and on a monofilament fishing line recycling project.  He has also earned scouting’s William Hornaday Award for conservation.

“One of the critical functions of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the ICF is to ensure that young people are engaged and appreciate the outdoors. I share Governor Quinn’s focus to engage more children and adults in outdoor activities and we applaud the efforts of these young individuals who may be tomorrow’s conservation leaders,” said ICF Chairman and IDNR Director Marc Miller.