Biology, environmental studies student earns Conservation Foundation scholarship

North Central College student Melissa Nelson is one of three DuPage County-area students to receive awards from The Conservation Foundation of Naperville as part of its Paul D. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Nelson, 21, of Winfield, was awarded $3,000, the Daily Herald reported. She was an intern last year at The Conservation Foundation and plans to graduate from North Central College in 2015 with a bachelor of arts degree in biology and a minor in environmental studies. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in wildlife ecology.

Applicants for the award must have an interest in working in the environmental field and be associated with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County or The Conservation Foundation. The scholarship fund was established in 2006 by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr. and his wife, Leslie, in memory of their late son Paul.