Wetland Care
Scholarships
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Ducks Unlimited NZ
2023 WETLAND CARE SCHOLARSHIPS
Two scholarships have been awarded to September 30 applicants.
These were to Pearl Ruston and Jessica Wagner, both Masters students at Victoria University of Wellington.
Pearl’s planned research relates to the nitrogen cycle in wetlands of different ecological states and is designed to inform strategies to restore wetlands in a way that maximises the removal of excess nitrogen.
Jessica’s planned research relates to rat behaviour in wetlands, especially as regards acoustic & scent lures. This will inform improved predator control, thereby enhancing successful nesting of waterfowl. Obviously, this is a critical issue in protecting endangered species.
The Wetland Care Trustees wish Pearl & Jessica every success in their 2024 studies and field research work, some of which will be conducted at the Wairio Wetland, Ducks Unlimited’s major restoration project on the eastern shores of Lake Wairarapa.
Jim Law (Trustee)
17 November, 2023
Note: Scholarship applications are now closed for 2023. The next round for applications is planned for 31 March, 2024.
Background/Purpose
Wetland Care Research Scholarships are sponsored by Ducks Unlimited New Zealand and may be applied for by any student currently enrolled or affiliated with a New Zealand university.
Funds are aimed at encouraging and supporting students who wish to push the boundaries of what is known about wetland restoration and conservation. Starting in 2018, a total of $20, 000 will be available annually to cover four separate scholarships of $5,000 each.
Funds can be used to support student living costs or to cover the costs of equipment purchase, logistics and consumables.
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Criteria
Applications will be accepted from students/researchers within universities prepared to make a difference through wetland conservation, with outcomes likely to provide for better management of New Zealand wetlands or their environment.
The student project must be based in New Zealand or be of direct benefit to New Zealand based on current wetland conservation issues.
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Scholarship Funding
Wetland Care will award four scholarships annually, during two funding rounds each year.
Applications for the first biennial funding round, consisting of up to two $5,000 scholarships, should be submitted by March 31st each year. Decisions will be made by 30th April following.
Applications for the second biennial funding round, consisting of up to another two $5,000 scholarships, should be submitted by September 30th with decisions being made by October 31st.
Funds will be paid in one lump sum to successful candidates upon commencement or completion of the milestones agreed at the time the scholarship is accepted.
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First Scholarship Awarded
Restored wetlands on private farms deliver ecosystem services and increase diversity, with varied results, a recent study has found.
Shannon Bentley, a master’s student at Victoria University and the first recipient of a Wetland Care Scholarship funded by Ducks Unlimited NZ, is studying how wetland restoration on farms changes plant, soil, and microbial characteristics.
In 2018-2019, as a part of the research group, Wetlands for People and Place, she sampled 18 privately restored wetlands and paired unrestored wetlands on farms in the Wairarapa ......
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The small print
Selection Panel
Applications will be reviewed by the Wetland Care Science Committee, which is a sub-committee of Ducks Unlimited NZ, consisting of three Directors chosen by the Ducks Unlimited Board.
Advice may be sought from external experts.
Other conditions
The recipient of the Scholarship must, upon completion of their study, submit a short report for publication in the Ducks Unlimited Flight magazine and will be invited to make a verbal presentation at a Ducks Unlimited conference.
Applicants should also aim to publish their research findings in a peer reviewed journal where appropriate.
Wetland Care Scholarships may be held with any other scholarship, bursary or prize unless the conditions of the other award(s) preclude this.
and finally
WetlandCare will award up to four scholarships of $5000 each annually in two funding rounds with applications closing on March 31 and September 30.
Enquiries can be directed to Wetland Care Science Committee members via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By accepting the Scholarship, the recipient agrees to participate in any publicity concerning the Scholarship arranged by Ducks Unlimited NZ, including but not limited a short story announcing the candidate and his/her proposed project, to appear in the next edition of Ducks Unlimited’s Flight magazine.
