DECEMBER 14, 2009-Glen Ellen, CA- Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), a leader in conservation science, habitat protection and restoration, and hands-on environmental education programs, announced today the first recipient of the new David Bouverie Scholarship is Sonoma resident Gerrit Van Sickle.

Gerrit, who has volunteered at the Bouverie Preserve of Audubon Canyon Ranch since fifth grade, graduated from Sonoma Valley High School this year. The $1500 scholarship will help to support his pursuit of a college degree in environmental studies, beginning at Santa Rosa Junior College in August 2010.

The David Bouverie Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Glen Ellen resident Phyllis Ellman, a longtime ACR Board member and "founding mother" of the Bouverie Preserve Environmental Education Program, for which she served as a docent from 1980 until her death in July 2009. The scholarship fund provides academic scholarships to participants of the Bouverie Junior Naturalist Program who remain involved through high school and plan to pursue higher education in the biological sciences or environmental education.

"I can think of no more worthy young man than Gerrit to receive the first David Bouverie Scholarship," said Jeanne Wirka, resident biologist of the Bouverie Preserve. "He not only helped us with our nature walks and research projects, he also mentored and motivated younger students."

Gerrit became a "Juniper" in fifth grade after completing a five-course training that provides students an in-depth look at the natural history of the Bouverie Preserve. Once training is completed, Junipers are invited to help lead the Bouverie Preserve's Guided Nature Walks and pursue their own interests in nature through participation in field trips and resource management projects. Gerrit became especially interested in Stuart Creek, which flows through the Bouverie Preserve, leading to an on-going research project on invasive crayfish. The crayfish project also became the subject of his senior project at Sonoma Valley High School.

Since graduating from high school, Gerrit has completed an environmental internship at Echo Hill Outdoor School in Maryland, where he served as an instructional assistant and supervised students across a wide age range.

Before school begins in August, Gerrit also plans on participating in a Wildlands Studies program in New Zealand. There he will have the opportunity to accompany two biologists and other participants on research trips into the back country.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Initial funding for the David Bouverie Scholarship Fund was established by a grant of $25,000 from the Dennis and Carol Ann Rockey Fund of the Marin Community Foundation.

Visit www.egret.org/contribute.html to make an online contribution (note to the David Bouverie Scholarship Fund) or by phone at 415.868.9244 or via check with the memo "David Bouverie Scholarship Fund" to ACR, 4900 Shoreline Highway One, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

ABOUT AUDUBON CANYON RANCH
The mission of Audubon Canyon Ranch is to protect the natural resources of its sanctuaries while fostering an understanding and appreciation of these environments. Through ACR's preservation, education, and research programs, ACR educates children and adults, promotes ecological literacy that is grounded in direct experience, and conducts research and restoration that advances conservation science.

Audubon Canyon Ranch Preserves include the Cypress Grove Research Center on Tomales Bay, the 535-acre Bouverie Preserve in Sonoma's Valley of the Moon near Glen Ellen and the 1,000-acre Bolinas Lagoon Preserve near Stinson Beach, which is home to one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most studied Great Egret and Great Blue Heron nesting sites.

Recently ACR announced an agreement with Jim and Shirley Modini to acquire the 1,725-acre Modini Ranch property, located in the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma County.

ACR is an independent non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status and has received Charity Navigator's highest rating, 4 Stars. ACR is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society.

Audubon Canyon Ranch programs are made possible thanks to the contribution of thousands of hours of volunteer service, and donations from caring individuals, foundations and businesses. For more information, call (415) 868-9244, email acr@egret.org or visit www.egret.org.