Protect American River Canyons Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Protect American River Canyons
2026 PARC Environmental Stewardship Scholarship
Total awards available: up to $3,000
Eligibility
- Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who live in Placer, Nevada, or El Dorado County (California).
Scholarship Topic
- Submit either an original essay or a short video responding to the following about the North and Middle Fork American River canyons (upstream of Folsom Reservoir in the Auburn State Recreation Area):
Why do you care about the American River and its canyons, and what actions should be taken to protect them for the future? Describe any river- or canyon-related activities you have been involved with.
Submission Options and Requirements
- Essay: original, typed, maximum 500 words.
- Video: original, mp4 format, maximum 3 minutes.
- A completed entry form (available at https://www.parc-auburn.org/scholarship.html) must accompany every submission.
- Send entries by email to info@parc-auburn.org, or by U.S. mail to:
PARC, P.O. Box 9312, Auburn CA 95604
- Deadline: March 15, 2026
About the PARC Scholarship Fund
- PARC has awarded scholarships to local high school seniors since 2013. Over the past 13 years, supporters have helped the program distribute $34,000 in scholarships.
- The contest is administered entirely by volunteers, so all donations to the scholarship fund go straight to student awards. Tax-deductible contributions are appreciated and can be made via PayPal.
Selection Process and Awards
- Entries will be evaluated on how effectively they answer the topic and their overall impact. Special consideration will be given to students who have participated in environmental, educational, recreational, or other stewardship activities connected to the American River and its canyons.
- Winners will be asked to present their submission at a PARC event or to provide a video of themselves reading their essay.
- Individual awards will range from $600 to $1,000. Total scholarship funding available in 2026 is up to $3,000.
For more information or questions, contact info@parc-auburn.org.