Andrew Fischer (Resource Conservation Masters Degree Program) Selected as a
2009 Wyss Scholar for Conservation in the American West Program
Andew Fischer was recently selected as one of two 2009 Wyss Scholars for Conservation in the American West Program. The other scholar from the University of Montana is David Colbeck from the Environmental Studies Program.
Andrew Fischer has diverse work experience in the field of water conservation and fisheries. In the past he was the Conservation Project Manager for the Deschutes River Conservancy in Oregon where he developed and implemented water conservation projects in the Deschutes River Basin. In Missoula, Montana he worked as a water resource technician for the Missoula Department of Water Resources Field Office. He has also served as a fisheries technician with Plum Creek Timber Company. He is currently pursuing a Masters project to provide guidelines for the U.S. Forest Service to obtain instream water rights on critical rivers and waterways affecting U.S. forest lands, habitats and watersheds. He is preparing for a career that combines his skills and interest in natural resource management science, law, policy and advocacy to lead conservation efforts, especially in his native state of Montana.
The Wyss Scholars for Conservation in the American West Program is co-administered by the Bolle Center in the College of Forestry and Conservation and the Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Science. The fellowship provides financial support for tuition, living expenses, and summer internship while the scholar is completing his masters project and a payment a year and a half thereafter after completing employment with a conservation-related agency. The program seeks to enable the graduate education and practical training of conservation leaders and is in its fourth year of a five year effort. The University of Montana joins Yale University, University of Michigan and Northern Arizona University in offering this program. For more information see
http://www.wyssfoundation.org/scholars.