Forestry Leader Scholarship

Established in 2017 by a very charitable and anonymous WWOA member, the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association Forestry Leader Scholarship aims to carry forward WWOA’s educational mission in a partnership with the forestry program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Since it’s establishment, our very generous members have joined this cause with the interest of educating future generations on the value of sustainable forestry and ensuring private woodland owners will always have access to well-trained foresters.

With a passion for sustainable forest management, WWOA’s mission, since 1979, is to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty and utility of the woodlands. WWOA works to bridge the gap between private woodland owners and natural resources professionals by offering year-round educational opportunities and promoting the value of sustainable forestry throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Contributing

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Visit the donations page of our website to make an online donation to the fund. Be sure to specify in your payment notes that the donation is for the scholarship fund.

If you prefer to donate using a check, please send us a note expressing the donation should go to the scholarship fund, along with a check payable to WWOA.  Mail to WWOA, PO Box 285, Stevens Point, WI 54481.

How to Apply

Find the ONLINE APPLICATION, here.
Our Annual Scholarship application period is November 1st – January 1st.

Eligibility

  • Enrolled full-time at UW-Stevens Point in the fall semester of the year of application
  • Major in Forest Management
  • Have at least two semesters remaining after the spring semester when scholarship is awarded
  • Resident of Wisconsin
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
  • No handwritten applications will be accepted
  • All parts of the application must be complete and included
  • Must be willing to attend the WWOA’s Award Banquet in September 2025.
  • WWOA’s Executive Director and/or President will also attend the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Celebration Evening in April 2025 meet the recipient.

Required Documents

  • Application
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Resume
  • Essay response

Selection Criteria

  1. Demonstrated passion for sustainable forestry in Wisconsin
  2. Proven commitment to and regularly practiced service above self
  3. Experience in the forestry field or relevant summer work
  4. Preference given to students who have been WWOA members for the past 3 years or related to WWOA members who have been WWOA members for the past 3 years.

Submission

  • Submit all materials to WWOA office or mail to WWOA, PO Box 285, Stevens Point, WI 54481
  • Must be received or postmarked by January 1, 2025
Questions? 

Contact the WWOA Office at 715-346-4798 or wwoa@uwsp.edu.

Scholarship Recipients

2025- Michael Steinhoff

2024– Brandon Schott

2023 – Noah Frei

2022 – Sydney Ellis, Garret Dament

2021 – Tou Ger Vue

2020 – Steven Krueger, Colby Powers, and Brody Fischer

2019 – Violet Thielke

2018 – Travis Wollenberg

 

WWOA proudly announces the 2025 recipient of the Forestry Leader Scholarship, Michael Steinhoff!

 

2025 Recipient:
Michael Steinhoff of Madison, Wisconsin

Michael is in his junior year at UW-Stevens Point with plans to graduate in May 2026 with a major in Forest Management.

Michael credits his family for fostering his love of the outdoors, as they spent much of their time outside and toured National Parks. When he first saw the giant sequoias out west, he was awestruck, and from that blossomed a greater sense of responsibility for the natural world. He thought to himself, “Wow, we really need to protect this.”

From woodcock habitat management to prescribed burns with the UWSP fire crew, Michael’s hands on experiences have guided his heart toward restoration work. He wishes to manage in a way that provides the best ecological function and preserves natural areas for future generations to enjoy—much in alignment with WWOA’s mission.

When asked to describe how he practices service above self, he says he’d like to exemplify and dedicate his life to this. He takes considerable pride in his work, treating other people as his foremost priority. He wants to be useful and to do tangible work, providing for those in need. During his last two summers as a Park Attendant for Dane County, his duties were completed with the intent of improving the quality of visitors’ recreational time.

Michael would like to extend a huge thanks to members for their support of the scholarship and to the organization for awarding it to him. He says he feels extremely grateful, very honored, and that this is a tremendous accomplishment.

Do you know someone who could benefit from this scholarship? WWOA accepts applications from November 1 – January 1 annually. The scholarship award is split between two semesters, with the selected student receiving a total of $5,000.

Thank you so very much to all the WWOA members who have made this scholarship a reality!