New scholarships aim to grow Appalachian Ohio environmental workforce

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, in partnership with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, opened applications today for the 2026 FAO Environmental Stewardship Pillar Scholarships, a program intended to support residents of Appalachian Ohio pursuing study and training in natural resources and green-technology fields. Applicants from Holmes County and surrounding counties can apply online; completed applications and supporting materials are due by Feb. 15.

The scholarships fund education and training in ecology, forestry, wildlife ecology and related natural resources fields, as well as vocational training in green technologies. The program gives preference to applicants who plan to live and work in Appalachian Ohio after completing their training, an explicit aim to retain skilled people in the region and strengthen local capacity for land and water stewardship.

The partnership between FAO and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District links a regional philanthropic foundation with a major water and land management agency, reflecting growing coordination between conservation funders and infrastructure stewards. For Holmes County, with its mix of forested land, farms and small towns, targeted support for forestry technicians, wildlife managers, stream restoration practitioners and green-technology tradespeople can translate into more local expertise available for watershed projects, habitat management and emerging clean-economy jobs.

Applicants should visit the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio website to access the application and details about required supporting materials. The announcement lists partner donors and provides contact information for questions about scholarship support; prospective applicants are encouraged to use those channels to clarify eligibility and documentation requirements well ahead of the Feb. 15 deadline.

Beyond individual benefit, the scholarships are a policy lever to address two persistent challenges in rural Appalachia: outmigration of trained workers and gaps in the local workforce for environmental management and green-industry roles. By prioritizing candidates who commit to staying in the region, the program aims to keep talent locally, which can support municipal and watershed projects that affect daily life in Holmes County, from flood mitigation to sustainable timber management.

The takeaway? If you live in Holmes County and are planning study or vocational training in ecology, forestry, wildlife conservation or green technologies, review the FAO application now, assemble your supporting materials and submit by Feb. 15. A timely application could connect you to financial support that helps you train locally and contribute to the county’s environmental and economic resilience.