Virginia Off-Road Land Stewardship Scholarship
Supporting the next generation of land managers, foresters, and public lands professionals
Virginia Off-Road (VAOR) believes trails stay open when land is managed by people who understand both conservation and responsible recreation. Public lands thrive when stewardship and access work together — not against each other.
To help build that future, VAOR is proud to offer the Virginia Off-Road Land Steward Scholarship, a $500 annual award supporting students pursuing careers in forestry, conservation, land management, recreation management, and related fields.
This scholarship is designed to support individuals who care deeply about public lands and believe in balanced, ethical outdoor use — including motorized and non-motorized recreation.
Scholarship Award
Amount: $500 (one award annually)
Frequency: Once per year (with plans to expand as the program grows)
Use of Funds: Tuition, books, certification costs, or educational supplies
Payment Method: Paid directly to the student or the educational institution
Who Should Apply?
This scholarship is open to individuals who are preparing for careers that directly impact how public lands are managed, protected, and accessed.
Eligible applicants include those who are:
Enrolled in or accepted to:
A 2-year or 4-year college or university
A technical, trade, or certification program
Pursuing education or training in fields such as:
Forestry
Conservation
Environmental science
Natural resource management
Recreation or park management
Land use planning
Outdoor recreation or trail management
Living in Virginia or planning to work in Virginia or surrounding states
VAOR membership and volunteer experience are encouraged but not required.
What We’re Looking For
We’re not focused on GPA alone.
VAOR is looking for applicants who:
Demonstrate a genuine interest in public lands and stewardship
Understand the importance of responsible recreation
Show thoughtful consideration of how conservation and access can coexist
Plan to work in roles that influence land use, trails, forests, or outdoor recreation
We believe future land managers who understand trail ethics, education, and community engagement will help keep public lands open and sustainable for generations.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be asked to submit:
Basic contact and education information
A short written response (approximately 300–500 words) answering:
Why you are pursuing a career in land management, forestry, conservation, or a related field
How you view outdoor recreation fitting into public land management
Optional (but encouraged):
A photo or brief description of volunteer work, field training, or outdoor involvement
No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by a small committee of Virginia Off-Road leadership and volunteers. Recipients are selected based on:
Alignment with VAOR’s mission
Thoughtfulness and clarity of responses
Demonstrated interest in stewardship and public lands
The selected recipient will be notified directly and announced publicly (with permission).
Recipient Expectations
Scholarship recipients will be asked to:
Provide a brief thank-you acknowledgment
Share a short update at the end of the academic year describing how the scholarship supported their education
This helps VAOR continue to grow the program and demonstrate impact to members and donors.
Application Timeline
Applications Open: January 1st
Applications Close: June 1st
Recipient Announced: July 15th
Why VAOR Offers This Scholarship
Virginia Off-Road is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to:
Trail stewardship
Education and ethics
Responsible off-road recreation
Building positive relationships with land managers and agencies
By supporting future land stewards, we’re investing not just in individuals — but in the long-term future of public lands and sustainable recreation.
Questions?
For questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact: joshua@vaoffroad.org
