The GCA Zone VI Fellowship in Urban Forestry, established by the Garden Club of America (GCA) and administered in partnership with Casey Trees, supports students studying urban forestry and related disciplines. Its purpose is to advance the planning, management, and ecology of urban forests while fostering understanding of their environmental and societal impacts. The fellowship originated in 2004 when the 12 GCA clubs in Maryland and Washington, D.C., created the program. The first award was given in 2006, and the fellowship has since funded research and study aimed at expanding scientific knowledge in urban forestry.
This fellowship awards $7,500 to one or more recipients each year to support academic study or research in urban forestry, environmental studies, horticulture, or related fields. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students are eligible, provided they have a specific interest in urban forestry and are enrolled in a U.S.-based institution during the academic year following the award. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The selection process is overseen by a panel of experts in urban forestry research, appointed by Casey Trees, and approved by the GCA Scholarship Committee. Awards are funded through the GCA Zone VI Fellowship in Urban Forestry Fund, managed by the GCA. Recipients are chosen based on academic qualifications, research potential, and demonstrated commitment to the field.
