Nyla Mullen has been backpacking in Haleakalā Crater and the mountains of California for most of her life. She wrote, “Many experiences growing up have given me reasons to love the natural world as well as respect it. I’ve been looking into the possibilities of working at a national park because so many interests have sparked from visiting Haleakalā National Park since I was young.”
Bee-keeping, banding ‘Ua’u chicks, landscaping with the Maui Seabird Recovery Project to protect Ohia trees as well as helping at the Maui Ocean Center with in-water green sea turtle rescues are some of the experiences that have been influential in leading Lucia McKinnon to say, “I aspire to conduct research and lead local efforts to conserve our native wildlife.”
Emmi-Lin Felten majored in Kamehameha Maui’s Environmental Science Academy where, among other studies, she was able to do research on the effects of invasive species on local flora and the development of sustainable agricultural techniques. She hopes to “to pursue a career where I can influence meaningful conservation efforts and policy development to protect our natural heritage.”
The Friends of Haleakalā National Park Scholarship annually honors three founders of the organization and heroes of conservation on the mountain, Don Reeser, Mary Evanson and Dr. Fern Duvall, with scholarships for young people entering or continuing studies that will contribute to the knowledge and preservation of natural, and particularly of endangered, ecosystems.