BARRIE – Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) recently awarded Nathan Zeinstra of Mount Forest one of three $1,000 Wetland Centre of Excellence Scholarships.
The scholarships are awarded to outstanding graduates from a DUC-recognized Wetland Centre of Excellence that go on to pursue postsecondary studies in conservation.
The DUC Wetland Centres of Excellence (WCE) are schools and community partners that facilitate hands-on wetland learning and student-led conservation projects.
The local WCE program at Wellington Heights Secondary School brings students out to Luther Marsh, where they learn about conservation, ecosystem services and nutrient cycling. At the end of the year, they lead elementary students on wetland field trips to pass along their knowledge.
Ducks Unlimited officials say Zeinstra shone during mentorship.
“He pushed himself out of his comfort zone and took on a leadership role when younger students came to the marsh,” the organization states in press release.
“Nathan grew and changed through the WCE program,” says teacher Matt Timberlake. “He was shy at first, but he worked hard to come out of his shell. He put in the work, learned the material, improved his delivery and became a leader in front of the other kids.”
“Students like Nathan remind us why the WCE program is important,” says Mariane Bolla, DUC’s head of national education. “Many students learn best and shine brightest outside of the classroom.”
With the support from Timberlake, Zeinstra applied and is now in his third year of environmental sciences at the University of Guelph. He’s taking a co-op program that enables him to learn about forest management and wildlife restoration in the field.
He says he feels fortunate to be able to do what he loves.
“Winning the scholarship means I can turn my hobbies into a career,” says Zeinstra.
“It means I can protect nature, which in turn protects my community and our way of life.”
For more on Zeinstra’s growth and achievement in the WCE program, visit: https://ducks.ca/meet-nathan-zeinst.
