Bryce Adams of Robbinsville High is the 2025 top winner of the Glenn F. Carson, II Memorial Conservation Scholarship. He plans to attend Central Piedmont Community College and major in Geography, with an environmental, planning, or mapping emphasis and Geomatics, which is the branch of science that deals with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data relating to the earth’s surface. “Geomatics offers a powerful way to monitor and manage natural resources, and I truly believe it can help address some of the most urgent environmental challenges we face. I’m excited about the possibility of using this field to create solutions that not only preserve our planet but also ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come,” Bryce wrote in his application. His scholarship is $2,000 and is renewable at $1,000 per year for up to three additional years, based on continued eligibility.

Hayesville High senior Tate Roberts was awarded a $500 Carson Scholarship. Tate will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering online through Liberty University. “One of the main ways civil engineering relates to natural resource conservation is through the design with the movement of water in mind… including minimizing the contamination of water and the effort to limit erosion.”

Originally established in 2014 by the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition (now MountainTrue’s Western Regional Office), the Carson Conservation Scholarship is a memorial to the late Glenn F. Carson, II. At the time of his death, Glenn was the District Conservationist for Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and was an important leader in the WNC conservation community. He was a graduate of Western Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management with a water quality emphasis. 

The Carson Conservation Scholarship assists young people from Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties who want to pursue higher education in natural resource conservation fields such as agriculture, forestry, environmental science, health or engineering, and wildlife management. To date, $30,710 in scholarship funds have been awarded to 18 students.

To support more students through the Carson Conservation Scholarship fund, make a donation at mountaintrue.org/join and mark your donation as “In Memory of Glenn F. Carson, II.”