The Edward W. Cooch, Jr. Environmental Scholarship fund has been established to honor the late Edward W. Cooch, Jr. (1920-2010). “Ned” as many of us knew him, was an avid environmentalist with a deep passion for the natural lands and water resources of the State of Delaware. In 1982 Ned was one of the founders of the Christina Conservancy which promotes the preservation and restoration of the natural and historic resources of the Christina River Watershed. Ned was one of the driving forces and an inspiration for the Christina River Watershed Cleanup, which was started in 1992, and has removed hundreds of tons of trash from the watershed. Ned was an active member of the Delaware community and demonstrated a deep commitment to the natural environment.

Award

This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one student, selected by the scholarship committee, who demonstrates the ideals that Ned Cooch carried out in his daily life.

Click here to open or download the Edward W Cooch Jr. Scholarship Application for 2014

Eligibility

1. Must be applying to a properly accredited junior college, college, or university for the fall semester 2014
2. Must be a Delaware resident
3. Must be a senior in a Delaware high school or returning veteran of the U.S. armed services
4. Must have a grade point average of 3.0 or greater
5. Must major in an environmental field of study
6. Must demonstrate an interest in the environment (example: participate in cleanups, engage in school Eco-club projects, elect to take environmental classes).

Selection Criteria

The recipient will have a strong interest in the natural environment and water resources and will have demonstrated this interest through engagement in the community in these areas. The recipient will clearly communicate academic and career goals as it relates to the natural environment and water resources. The scholarship will be awarded to a student with a grade point average of 3.0 or greater.

Please note: Recipients agree to the release of his or her name and a photo for publicity purposes.

Deadline

All applications and supporting materials must be received by the Christina Conservancy Scholarship Committee at either the email address or mailing address listed below no later than March 1, 2014. Word and/or PDF files sent by email will be accepted by the due date.

Email Word or PDF files to: jrufft@artesianwater.com

Mail to: Christina Conservancy Scholarship Committee c/o Joanne Rufft 202 Brecks Lane Wilmington, DE 19807

For questions or more information please contact: Joanne Rufft at 302-453-7144 or jrufft@artesianwater.com

Selection

The recipient will be chosen by the Christina Conservancy Scholarship Committee. The Committee does not discriminate by age, race, color, national origin, disability, creed, or gender. Family members of the Scholarship Committee are not eligible. The decision of the Committee is final.

Left to right: Joanne Rufft, Pete Mujica(father), Tina Mujica,
Mujica (sister),(mother)

On June 6, 2013, the Christina Conservancy Board, members of the Christina River Cleanup Committee, members of the Cooch family, and others celebrated the awarding of the 2013 Edward W. (Ned) Cooch, Jr. Environmental Scholarship to Kristina (Tina) Mujica, of Smyrna, Delaware.

Link to PDF version of news release

Joanne Rufft, board member and chairman of the Scholarship Committee said “Tina was selected as this year’s winner because of her commitment to the environment, her excellent community service, her plan to study Wildlife Biology at Unity College and her goal to eventually to work for the Environmental Protection Agency or a State Fisheries and Wildlife Division.” Tina earned a 3.97 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 at Smyrna High School.  Tina has been actively involved in environmental causes through the years, e.g., Adopt a Highway, Delaware Coastal Cleanup, Beach Grass Planting, Annual Horseshoe Crab Count and by taking many science and environmental classes such as Oceanography and Ecology. 

When accepting the $1,000 scholarship, Tina said, “Knowledge is true power when solving problems. I am honored to be receiving the Edward W. Cooch, Jr. Environmental Scholarship to help achieve the knowledge needed to help conserve the environment and solve the problems that plague our Earth.”

The celebration was graciously hosted by the Cooch Family at the historical Cooch residence at Cooch’s Bridge, on Old Baltimore Pike in Newark, Delaware.  Cooch Family members attending were The Hon. Richard Cooch, son of the late Edward W. Cooch, Jr. and Delaware Superior Court Judge, Barbara Cooch, wife of Richard Cooch, and Nancy Cooch, widow of the late Edward W. Cooch, Jr.  In his welcoming remarks, Richard Cooch told the gathering about the rich history of his home and Cooch’s Bridge, including the popularly held belief that the Betsy Ross American flag was first flown in battle at the Revolutionary War battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777.  He spoke of his father Ned’s great passion for the environment and land preservation.  His father preserved 200 acres around the family home including Cooch’s Bridge and the grist mill (Dayette Mill).  Judge Cooch said, “Considering my father’s undying concern for the environment, this Edward W. Cooch, Jr. Environmental scholarship is a wonderful way to honor him and his accomplishments, not the least of which was the founding of the Christina Conservancy which is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Christina River.”

Eligibility

• Must be applying to a properly accredited junior college, college, or university for the fall semester 2012
• Must be a Delaware resident
• Must be a senior in a Delaware high school or returning veteran of the U.S. armed services
• Must have a grade point average of 3.0 or greater
• Must major in an environmental field of study
• Must demonstrate an interest in the environment (example: participate in cleanups, engage in school Eco-club projects, elect to take environmental classes)

Selection Criteria

• The recipient will have a strong interest in the natural environment and water resources and will have demonstrated this interest through engagement in the community in these areas.
• The recipient will clearly communicate academic and career goals as it relates to the natural environment and water resources.
• The scholarship will be awarded to a student with a grade point average of 3.0 or greater.

Interviews with Tina Mujica may be requested by contacting:

Anne Fitzgerald, Christina Conservancy Board Member, 302.544.2148
Email: Christinaconservancy@gmail.com
The Christina Conservancy was established in 1982 to improve the water quality and to protect the river’s natural and historic resources.  The Christina Conservancy is an all volunteer membership organization (501(c) 3 operated by a board of directors of local citizens.

The new Magness Woods property.
Click on the photo to view the PDF file.

New Castle County recently acquired a property along the Christina River, located along Salem Church Road in Newark. Members of the Christina Conservancy and guests toured the new site on Saturday, June 8, during a walk that featured expert naturalist and author, Jim White, Delaware Nature Society Associate Director for Land and Biodiversity, who helped identify the rich flora and fauna of the area.

For more information, please contact Lorraine Fleming — lorrainelmf@comcast.net

The mission of the Christina Conservancy is to promote the preservation, restoration, and conservation of the historic and natural resources of the Christina River watershed.