JOIN US ↠ ACCESSIBLE OUTDOORS ↞ 13 DEC 2025
JOIN US ↠ ACCESSIBLE OUTDOORS ↞ 13 DEC 2025
The NatureTrack Nancy Stearns Scholarship is for a graduating student (2026) from a North Santa Barbara County High School with a 3.0 GPA or higher, enrolling in a fouryear accredited college in natural sciences. The applicant must submit an essay of 500 or fewer words related to goals within a natural science field (see definition below). In your essay explain your educational and career intentions as they relate to nature. In addition to the completed application and essay, the student must submit a full high school transcript.
Priority will be given to a student with a financial need to pursue higher education. Support awarded for each of up to four years based on acceptable performance and continuation towards a bachelor’s degree in the natural science field.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000; $2,000 awarded year one; $1,000 awarded year two, three, and four based on acceptable performance. Award paid directly to the student’s school tuition account.
Natural Science includes any study of nature. Suggested desirable majors to support (not inclusive): biological sciences (botany, aquatic biology, wildlife, ecology, entomology, horticulture, animal science, plant science, etc.), earth sciences (geology, oceanography, geography, remote sensing, cartography), wildlife sciences, outdoor education and environmental sciences. Does not include agriculture, health or medicine.
The goal of this scholarship is to support students who will find a career in support of nature: conserving, preserving, researching or sharing nature with others. If there is another major that will prepare you for that goal, please apply and explain your educational path to that goal.
If you intend to study any other topic and intend to apply your knowledge and skills to the natural world, consider applying for this scholarship.
We are deeply grateful to Brett Stearns for his generous funding of the NatureTrack Nancy Stearns Scholarship, established in loving memory of his wife. This scholarship will provide students with the opportunity to pursue their college education while fostering a connection to nature. Brett’s ongoing commitment ensures that Nancy’s legacy will continue to empower and inspire future generations for years to come.
Contact: sue@naturetrack.org or call 805-886-2047 for more information.
“Nancy believed sharing was more than educating or training; it was involving and believing life could be more fulfilling as you pursued nature outdoors. She was the inspiration to stretch for the lesson nature brings, to catch on to the tune and see the pattern of how things weave their way through our shared lives.”
Catalina Kett, the first NatureTrack Nancy Steans Scholarship recipient attends High Point University, High Point, North Carolina and is majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish.
Since she was a little girl, Catalina has had a strong tie to the outdoors. Her parents met and fell in love working on dive boats in Santa Barbara. Kett grew up with a passion for exploring the ocean and outdoors. At High Point University, she has made friends from all over the county who share a deep love of nature.
Brynley Ellsworth, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, is majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Botany.
Brynley was very appreciative of receiving the scholarship. She said, “Organizations [like NatureTrack] that encourage wonder with nature and help others discover joy in learning about nature are invaluable. I was driven in no small part by financial need, but it was learning about Nancy and her similar love for nature that drove me.”
"Nancy's enthusiasm for nature was contagious not only for the students but also for the NatureTrack docents! Her enthusiasm naturally piqued the students' curiosity to learn. They left field trips smarter and happier!"
Erin Trathen, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, is majoring in Environmental Engineering and possibly minoring in Horticulture or Microbiology.
Also thrilled to receive the NatureTrack Nancy Stearns scholarship, Erin remarked, “Applying to the scholarship was inspiring as NatureTrack takes blissful, tranquil, and adventurous aspects of nature and encourages real-life application of those feelings to an effective education.”
Braiden Flaherty, the first student from Lompoc High School to receive the $5,000 NatureTrack Nancy Stearns Scholarship, marking a milestone in the scholarship’s four-year history.
“Braiden’s selection is a testament to his deep-rooted passion for animals, a trait evident from his personal and family background,” said Dennis Nord, NatureTrack Board member and docent.
Who had more love and enthusiasm for nature? Who was always up for exploring flowers in bloom, birds to be discovered or the latest botanical mystery?
“Oh look!” Was a favorite exclamation heard as she opened her smile and pointed toward a fleeting view of a streaking bird or a rare flower on the ridge far above. Stooping often to enjoy the details and to catch another angle in a photo, she was pursuing the experience for the love of every earthy page and chapter in the book of life.
She recruited through sharing an excitement so rare people acted to come along to have that experience she so thoroughly reveled in. Nancy’s sharing was more than educating or training, it was involving and believing life could be more fulfilling as you pursued collecting seeds, pulling up weeds and smiling the whole time with a secret laugh as if the whole natural world was her best joke. Why wouldn’t you want more of that you’d think, and then dive in to see what was going to be revealed next.
“Look at that!” She would exclaim and students were hooked as they bent to look or went traipsing after her to see just what could be made of the trail, the day and the next turn of events. I can’t think she’s extinguished or gone, she’s among us in words and the song on the wind, in the trees and as the clatter in the leaves. She’s the inspiration to stretch for the lesson nature has to bring, to catch on to the tune and see the pattern of the way things weave their way through our shared life in our days. When you think about Nancy she will take you to your best receptive effort to know yourself as you know the world and your place and your peace.
By Carole and Dennis Nord