John B. Holdstock Scholarship

About John Holdstock

"The world is run by those who show up"

 John Holdstock

Born in Weyburn Saskatchewan, John Holdstock passed away unexpectedly at his home in Kelowna on December 25^th 2010 at the age of 74. John is survived by his wife Morag and three children.

To say John led an interesting life is an understatement. He obtained an engineering degree from university, and then spent over five years in the early 1960’s working on radio relays in northern BC. John then became a chartered accountant, biding time with a number of companies until moving permanently to BC in 1978. John’s was the Secretary-Treasurer for BC Tree Fruits, a position for 21 years. John was an explorer. Not only was he an avid reader with a wide-ranging area of interests, but he also loved to write. John enjoyed hunting, bird watching and delighted in the deer browsing through his yard.

John’s commitment to conservation and outdoor lifestyle were legendary. He was a member of the Kelowna District Fish and Game Club and President of the BC Wildlife Federation from 1996 – 1998. He twice received the President’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement and the Barsby Award for Conservationist of the Year. He was also a Director of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. John was a Director at the British Columbia Conservation Foundation in 2002 and Chair from 2003-2010.

With John’s passing we lost an avid outdoor recreationalist, conservationist, advocate and a friend. In honour of John we set up a scholarship fund with partners including the BC Conservation Foundation, The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, The Nature Trust of BC, and The Okanagan Region Wildlife Heritage Society.

If you wish to donate to future ecologists, click on the BCCF Giving Opportunities. Tax receipts will be issued on donations over $25.

Information and Criteria

Scholarship Information

Successful scholarship applicants must be a resident of British Columbia and a current undergraduate or graduate student attending university or college in the sciences or a related field.

One scholarship of $1,000 is awarded annually.

All application criteria must be met in order to qualify. See criteria prior to submitting an online application.

The application deadline for each year is May 15 at 3:00 pm (Pacific Time).

The successful recipient will be announced by June 30 each year.

Application Criteria

We recommend that interested students review the criteria, gather/create all electronic files and then return to the website to fill out and submit their application. Make sure you have acquired copies of all mandatory items listed below before beginning your submission.

You will not be able to save your online application until you enter submit.

Criteria:

• A resident of British Columbia.
• A full-time student attending a BC university or college in the upcoming fall semester.
• Enrolled in the sciences or a related field (applicant will be asked to list courses they intend to study in the upcoming term).
• Currently hold a GPA of 3.50 or ‘B’ average or better (relevant transcripts for proof of grades must be included with application).
• One Letter of Reference stating the applicant’s participation in outdoor conservation work involving fish, wildlife and/or habitat conservation in British Columbia.
• A brief essay (maximum 500 words) describing your interests in pursuing fish, wildlife and/or habitat conservation as a part of your academic studies (e.g. you may want to include information about relevant personal interests and activities, academic goals, academic achievements, career plans and how BC’s conservation movement might benefit from your contribution).
• Enrolled in a minimum 80% course load (NOTE a full course load may not be available to some Masters students. Where a full course load is not offered, this criterion does not apply). 
• Proof of enrollment at the University/College will be requested prior to issuing the award.
• The Selections Committee provides weighted scoring to applicants with a proven record of interest in the outdoors (including hunting and fishing) and/or your intentions in using your education towards the conservation and enhancement of BC’s fish and wildlife and habitat.

We thank the following partners for their generous and ongoing support.

         

         

The Application

Applications are now closed. The successful scholarship recipient will be notified by June 20th, 2023.