The Shuswap Naturalist Club was naturally excited to hear that a Salmon Arm local received this year’s award they provide annually to a student in environmental studies at Thompson Rivers University.
The club recently learned that Autumn Smeltzer, a third year student in the Bachelor of Natural Resource Science program, was selected as the recipient of the $1,539 award, which encourages students that demonstrate an interest in nature and conserving habitats important to indigenous plants and animals.
“Autumn Smeltzer… has expressed a passion for the environment and freshwater ecosystems in particular,” Janet Pattinson said in an email. “She looks forward to a career in aquatic biology and hopes to contribute to research and proper management that will help protect our aquatic resources.”
The club congratulates Smeltzer, Pattinson added, and looks forward to providing awards to “future students who value the natural environment.”
The award is supported by an endowment at the Shuswap Community Foundation so the amount given fluctuates from year to year.
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