New Haven Resident Brittany Wienke Wins Surfers Environmental Alliance Scholarship

Brittany Wienke

Brittany Wienke of New Haven, Connecticut, currently a Yale University graduate student is one of three students in the U.S. to receive the Surfers Environmental Alliance’s [SEA] 2018-2019 Environmental Studies Scholarship.

“The students we select to receive this scholarship show a genuine passion for the environment and scholarship,” says Richard Lee, executive director of the Surfers Environmental Alliance. “All candidates must complete a rigorous application process, maintain a high GPA and present a worthy essay.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized by SEA. By receiving this scholarship, I am in the company of people who push for necessary changes,” said Wienke, entering her second year at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. “Grassroots organizations help shift attitudes and policy on local levels, which bubbles up to state and perhaps national levels. Their activism is so important.”

The SEA Scholarship is open to high school, university, and master’s students that plan to major in the areas of environmental studies and sciences.

Wienke noted that this scholarship spoke to her on a very personal level especially in regard to the connection between humans and nature, “I deeply believe that free public access to natural spaces can help dissolve the artificial division between humans and nature. In my experience, the more time someone spends in natural spaces, the greater the stewardship ethic, and the greater the recognition that our fate is tied to that of natural environments.”

The scholarship is offered annually, and they are now accepting applications for the 2019-20 academic years. For more information, please visit https://www.seasurfer.org/sea-scholarships.

About Surfers Environmental Alliance

Surfers’ Environmental Alliance is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit committed to the preservation and protection of the environmental and cultural elements inherent to the sport of surfing. These goals are achieved through grassroots efforts, community involvement, education, and humanitarian efforts. SEA strives to engage in projects to conserve the quality of the marine environment, preserve or enhance surf breaks, protect beach access rights, and safeguard the coastal surf zone from unnecessary development. For more information visit www.seasurfer.org.

Source: Surfers Environmental Alliance