Nearly $20,000 in educational funding was approved June 4, 2026 by the Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA).

University scholarships relating to forestry were awarded to five Oregon State University students. The scholars will share $19,000. Another $500 was awarded to an environmental education project at Scio High School.

Money for these educational opportunities come from the LCSWA Seedling Sale — the 32nd annual seedling sale event will be held on Feb. 13, 2027.

The two returning scholars are Mason Montigue and Emmaline Westfall. Mason just completed his AAOT degree (Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer) at Linn-Benton Community College and will be entering Oregon State this fall as a junior, majoring in Forest Restoration and Fire Prevention.

Mason is originally from Sweet Home. He will be working as a wildland firefighter out of La Grande this summer.

Emmaline will be starting her junior year at Oregon State in Natural Resources specializing in Ecological Restoration. She has landed two summer jobs, one as a research assistant working with a graduate student and one with Corvallis Parks and Recreation, working as a Youth Volunteer Core Leader. She will be leading youths in service projects related to maintaining natural habitat areas around Corvallis.

We are also excited to announce three new scholarship recipients for the 2026/2027 school year: Blaise Pindell, Allison Dariano, and Camryn Kolouch.

Blaise is from Philomath. He recently completed requirements for an associate’s degree in Forest Engineering from Southwestern Oregon Community College. He will be attending Oregon State this fall working toward his Forestry degree with a specialization in Forest Management.

Allison Dariano, a junior, is seeking dual degrees: a Natural Resources degree with an Ecological Restoration specialization in the College of Forestry and a Sustainability degree through the College of Agricultural Science.

Camryn Kolouch will be entering Oregon State University College of Forestry this fall as a freshman, focusing on forest ecosystems and conservation. Her goal is to become a dendrologist.

We are proud to be a part of these outstanding scholars’ college careers and look forward to engaging them this year in chapter activities. LCSWA members should feel free to introduce yourself and share a little bit about your forestry experience with the students.

The $500 Scio High School donation will be used for building materials and compost for the school’s Environmental Studies program. Teacher Steven Westbrook attended the June 4 meeting, outlining proposed projects and those already under way. Raised beds, fencing and a nature walk are in the works. The board approved the donation unanimously.