Congratulations to Abigail Torres and Nolan Wilson!

On July 23^rd the Christina Conservancy Board of Directors will award Abigail Torres the 2024 Edward W. Cooch, Jr. Environmental Scholarship. The board will also recognize the scholarship runner-up, Nolan Wilson.

Abigail Torres is a senior at Padua Academy in Wilmington, DE and will attend the University of Virginia in fall 2024. Torres’ environmental passion lies in preserving native biodiversity and she has an outstanding academic record while her after-school activities, job and volunteer activities highlight her passion for the environment. Torres participated in environmental programs such as Delaware’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and served as a Youth Camp Counselor at Delaware State Parks. Torres also participated in multiple community service projects and leadership roles, including the Youth Environmental Summit (YES), Padua Academy’s Environmental Conservation Club President, and Sean’s House Peer Support Specialist. At Padua Academy, Torres excelled academically, enrolling in the most demanding courses in all five core academic areas and excelling in multiple AP courses at one time. Torres’ love for nature has led her to travel to over ¹/з of the national parks in the nation. Torres’ passion for the environment and her academic skills demonstrate that she will be a significant contributor to the environmental field in the future. She will continue to pursue her love for the environment at the University of Virginia in fall 2024 where she will determine the best degree program to pursue her passion in the environmental field.

Nolan Wilson is a senior at Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, DE and will attend the University of Delaware in fall 2024. Wilson’s love for the environment began at a young age exploring the outdoors and fishing. Wilson excelled in the Natural Resources Management Pathway in high school where he achieved academic success with a strong work ethic. He has participated in hands-on learning experiences such as exploring and monitoring natural biodiversity, conducting water quality monitoring and on-the-job experience in Seattle, Washington. Wilson has also spent his time volunteering with organizations such as the SPCA, Blood Bank of Delaware and Food Bank of Delaware. Nolan will continue his goal of reducing pollution for marine life and humans at the University of Delaware with a major in Marine Science.

Please join us in recognizing Abigail Torres and Nolan Wilson and honoring Edward W. Cooch, Jr. who was an avid environmentalist with a deep passion for the natural lands and water resources of the State of Delaware.

Each year starting in 2012 this scholarship is awarded to a student recognized by the scholarship committee who demonstrates the ideals that Ned Cooch carried out in his daily life.  For more information on the scholarship, Abigail and Nolan’s award, and past scholarship participants see http://www.christinaconservancy.org/scholarship/edward-w-cooch-jr-scholarship/.

To donate to the scholarship fund contact the ChristinaConservancyInc@gmail.com.

2024 Scholarship Guidelines

The Edward W. Cooch, Jr. Environmental Scholarship fund was established to honor the late Edward W. Cooch, Jr. (1920-2010).  “Ned”, as many knew him, was an avid environmentalist with a deep passion for the natural lands and water resources of the State of Delaware.  He was a founder of the Christina Conservancy, one of the driving forces for the Christina River Watershed Cleanup, and an active member of the Delaware community who demonstrated a deep commitment to the natural environment.

This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to one Delaware resident selected by the scholarship committee who demonstrates the ideals that Ned Cooch carried out in his daily life.  Applications are due by Monday, April 15, 2024. Notification of the winner will take place by the end of May and the Scholarship will be awarded in June 2024. Click here for full scholarship guidelines and application instructions.

The Christina Conservancy’s Annual Meeting was held Wednesday, November 29th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the CSC Station in Wilmington. Jim Tevebaugh was our guest speaker. His presentation titled The Next Phase of Wilmington’s Riverfront included the history of marketing the Christina River and his idea for a tourist information center with a history exhibit on the Christina.