METRA is a a 501(c)(3) organization! Please support our $1,000 annual scholarship fund:
Promoting Environmental Excellence Through Training & Partnerships
In remembrance of Mr. Morrow's dedication to the
environment and commitment to communicating the importance
of conserving our limited resources,
METRA offers an annual $1,500 scholarship.
This scholarship is intended to encourage undergraduate and graduate students who exhibit inherent interest and academic potential in fields related to environmental sciences and who inspire to work on problems of importance in industry and/or academia in Central Florida.
The recipient will receive a $1,500 academic scholarship provided by
METRA’s Scholarship Fund.
The recipient will be recognized at METRA’s annual Environmental Excellence Day and present their essay during a monthly METRA meeting. The selected submittal will be posted on metra.org/scholarship.
Michael T. Morrow
Memorial Environmental Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
-
Undergraduate junior or senior or graduate student enrolled at UCF, UF, USF, Eckerd, Embry-Riddle, FAU (Harbor Branch campus), Florida Polytechnic, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Rollins, Stetson and Seminole State.
-
Any major or minor with the intention of pursuing a career in the environmental field.
-
Undergraduate juniors/seniors and graduate students must be in good or non-probationary standing and have at least one semester remaining at time of award.
How to Apply
-
A 500-word-maximum essay detailing your plausible solution or projected/successful implementation of a project or program to either pre-empt or solve a Florida environmental issue. Your essay will be judged on Originality, Presentation (professional assemblage suitable for publication), and Written Communication (grammar and clarity). A word count (not including references) must be included at the end of the document.
-
A 200-word-maximum career objective describing your involvement in the environmental field through extra-curricular activities and explaining why you are dedicated to environmental stewardship and pursuing a career in the environmental field. A word count must be included at the end of the document.
-
Submit completed application package by the deadline, including your essay and career objective in pdf format, transcript(s) and a reference letter written by a collegiate academic or professional individual who is familiar with your career objectives.
-
Scholarship recipient must attend a virtual METRA general meeting shortly after notification to present essay and receive funds.
Applications Open: February 18, 2025
Application Deadline: November 1, 2025
Recipient Announced: November 14, 2025
Your essay, career objective, current transcript(s) and reference letter must be emailed by
November 1, 2025 to
dmohan@oversightdistrict.org.
Questions?
Please contact
Danielle Mohan at 407-690-7827
or email dmohan@oversightdistrict.org.
METRA Scholarship Committee
Danielle Mohan (Chair), Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
Andre Roy, NSU Florida - IDEP
Dr. Michael Hampton, University of Central Florida
Debra Rutland, Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department
Allison Chancy, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
2024 Recipient
Stephanie Medo
University of Florida
Graduate Student
School of Natural Resource and Environment
2024 Topic:
"Enhancing Connectivity in Florida's Wildlife Corridor"
2023 Recipient
Ashpreet Kaur
University of Florida
Graduate Student
School of Natural Resource and Environment
2023 Topic:
"Orlando's Path to Zero Waste: Unlocking the Potential of Zero Waste Cities in Florida"
2022 Recipient
Alessandra Pandolfi
University of Central Florida
Graduate Student
Urban Ecology
2022 Topic:
"The Power of Collaboration in Building a Sustainable Future in Florida Cities"
2021 Recipient
Dassie Persaud-van der Westhuizen
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Graduate Student
Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability
2021 Topic:
"Vertical Farming for the Aviation Industry in Florida"
2020 Recipient
Hallie Fischman
University of Florida
Graduate Student
Environmental Studies
2020 Topic:
"Sand Dune Restoration in Florida"
2019 Recipient
Marshall Kirchner
University of South Florida
Environmental Studies
2019 Topic:
"Water Policies Concerning Florida's Red Tide"
2018 Recipient
Kendal Westphal
University of South Florida
Environmental Studies
2018 Topic:
"An environmental challenge in the State of Florida and ways to resolve or manage"
2017 Recipient
University of Florida
Ph.D. Student
School of Natural Resources and Environment
2017 Topic:
“The Important Threats to Biodiversity in Central Florida with Follow-up Considerations Toward Implementing Realistic and Reasonable Solutions”
2016 Recipient
Hannah Brown
University of Florida
Graduate Student
Interdisciplinary Ecology
2016 Topic:
“How can Central Florida emphasize environmental protection while welcoming a growing population with increased land development requirements?”
2015 Recipient
Larissa Curran
University of Central Florida
Environmental
Engineering Major
2015 Topic:
“Is Global Warming a Hoax? Is It Being Exaggerated?”
2014 Recipient
Bethany Eriksen
Rollins College
Environmental Studies
2014 Topic:
“How to Integrate Social Media to Influence
Environmental Behavior Change”
2013 Recipient
Kaitlin Wood
University of Florida
Environmental Engineering Major
2013 Topic:
“An Introspective on How to Best Employ
Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices”
2011 & 2012 Recipient
Ilana Feldman
Rollins College
Environmental Studies
2012 Topic:
“Environmental Stewardship in Challenging Economic Times”
2011 Topic:
“Importance of Water Conservation in Central FL”