Home | Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA)

The knowledge, skills, and resources gained by NRCA participants are applied to community environmental action projects carried out in the months following the initial field experience or workshop. Projects typically employ one or more of the geospatial technologies learned during the field experience, but otherwise vary widely, and include topics such as urban tree inventories, trail mapping, invasive species management, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, wildlife surveys, and educational efforts to foster environmentally-responsible behaviors. NRCA programs culminate with participants showcasing their environmental action efforts at a professional conference.

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[UConn Daily Campus] Mentoring Students through Community-Based Environmental Action
A unique opportunity is opening for students at the University of Connecticut for the spring 2025 semester. NRE 1250, Community Engagement for Environmental Action, is a 1-credit course being offered that coincides with exciting mentorship opportunities.

[Indie Major Podcast] Indie Major: Sydney Seldon
This is Indie Major, a show devoted to the wide-ranging stories and visions of individualized majors at the University of Connecticut. I’m your host, Ken Cormier. I’m here in the studio with Sydney Seldon.

[UConn Today] CAHNR Senior Supports Community Environmental Projects Through Mentorship
Participating in the Difference Makers Mentor Program allowed senior Alexandra Blas to learn about environmentalism and her love of near-peer mentoring

[UConn Today] Shoreline Restoration Project Comes Alive Through UConn’s Eco-Digital Storytellers Program
A team of West Haven High School students is working with UConn to tell environmental stories and find solutions for their community.

[UConn Today] Extension Educators Launch School-Based Green Infrastructure Initiative
Supported by a $100k grant from the EPA, the program will partner with school districts and sustainable development organizations to bring hands-on projects to students and teachers.

[Valley Life] Summer Project Leaves a Legacy
With environmental concerns at the forefront of many minds, it’s encouraging to know there are young people who want to leave a legacy for their communities.

2025 UConn Environmental Leadership Award, UConn Office of Sustainability.
2025 Provost Awards for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship (Distinguished Faculty Community Impact Category to Dr. Cisneros), University of Connecticut.
2025 Excellence in Extension Award (to Dr. Cisneros), University of Connecticut - College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.
2021 STEM Achievement Organization Award, Connecticut Science Center.
2021 Facilitators' Choice Recognition, STEM for All Video Showcase.
2021 David & Nancy Bull Extension Innovation Award, University of Connecticut - College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.
2020 Public Choice Recognition, STEM for All Video Showcase.
2020 Excellence in Land Conservation Organization Award, Connecticut Land Conservation Council.
2019 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship, University of Connecticut.
2018 Outstanding Organization of the Year, Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association.
2018 DataHaven Innovation Award, DataHaven.
2016 Maria Pirie Environmental Education Program Award, New England Environmental Educators Alliance.

2020 Eastern CT Conservation District - Conservation Hero Award: Genevieve Rondeau & Rachael Trowbridge
2020 Aquarion Environmental Champion Award: Nisha Nalawade
2020 ESRI User Conference - Student Map Award: Melinda Lu (third place)
2020 CT Maps Competition - High School Division: Melinda Lu (overall winner), Aiden Cherniske, Allison Masthay, Olivia Pignataro
2020 CT Maps Competition - Middle School Division: Adrian Bouchard
2020 Marvelwood School Rachel Carson Conservation Award: Aiden Cherniske
2019 CT Science & Engineering Fair: Sara Beth Bouchard
2019 CT Maps Competition - High School Division: Madelyn Malinowski (overall winner), Carter Shay, Nicholas Motmans
2019 CT Volunteer Water Monitoring Conference - Student Poster: Grace Berthiaume (2nd place), Brooke Tillotson (3rd place)
2018 National FFA Highlighted Project: Fiona Haggerty
2018 Aquarion Environmental Champion Award: Kailee Puzzo
2017 City of Hartford Public Works & Tree Advisory Commission Certificate of Excellence: Naieem Kelly
2017 CT Science & Engineering Fair: Tessa Rock
2016 Westbrook Conservation Commission Osprey Award of Merit: Terri Potvin

2024-2025 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Camila Garcia (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Samantha Mickiewicz (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Zariah McFarlane (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Owen Dueck (project link)

2023-2024 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Hezron Maynard (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Isabella Dinnald (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Yadelis Lantigua (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Jilliana Halder (project link)
Most Impactful: Abiezer Soto, Adriel Soto, Azul Hernandez, Jacob Morales (poster link)
Most Likely to Inspire Change: Yadelis Lantigua (project link)
Most Innovative: Hezron Maynard (project link)

2022-2023 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Himani Kumar (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Justice Henderson (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Keila Silva (project link)

2020-2021 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Elsa Ciscel (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Brennan Wilkins (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Meredith Swanson (project link)

2019-2020 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Allison Masthay (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Nathan LaChance (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Samantha Wakelee (project link)

2018-2019 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Grace Berthiaume (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Carissa Horton (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Sara Beth Bouchard (project link)

2017-2018 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Brooke Tillotson (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Hannah Auten (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Maggie Chafoulas (project link)

2016-2017 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Kailee Puzzo (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Amanda Hernandez (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Jamie Masthay (project link)

2015-2016 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Benjamin Vermilyea (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Jacob Renkert (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Julia Squillace (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Jennifer Lee (project link)

2014-2015 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Maureen McCarthy (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Naomi Robert (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Randy Kaufman (project link)

2013-2014 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Margaret Everett (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Elizabeth McGonagle (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Ariana Lee-Wilson (project link)

2012-2013 Awardees

1st Place Scholarship: Jenna Lopardo (project link)
2nd Place Scholarship: Cassandra Bhageloo (project link)
3rd Place Scholarship: Bryn Bachmann (project link)

Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA)

NRCA programs provide…

• Teens •

Conservation Ambassador Program

• UConn Students •

Difference Maker
Mentors

• School Teams & UConn Students •

Eco-Digital
Storytellers

• High School Teachers •

Teacher Professional Learning

• Retired Program •

Conservation Training Partnerships

Environmental Action Projects

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354

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185

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Mission

Vision

News Highlights

Awards

NRCA Organization/Team Awards

NRCA Participant Awards

NRCA Scholarship Recipients & In-Program Recognition

Past and Current Funders