Grossman Scholar Spotlight: Beckett Wagner

and I’m ecstatic to be one of VOC’s Grossman Scholarship recipients! I am a 2nd year undergraduate student at Front Range Community College planning on transferring to Colorado State University to pursue a bachelors in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. Some may consider me an unconventional student due to pursuing a degree while also working seasonally for the National Park Service and various conservation corps, but I greatly enjoy taking what I learn in the classroom to the field and vice versa. This approach has allowed me to live and work in some beautiful places and understand both the theory and practice of my work.
VOC definitely stands out as an extremely professional and knowledgeable organization so I was thrilled to also accept the Steve Austin Scholarship earlier this year which allowed me to attend some training and projects including crosscuts and trail rehabilitation. Here I met some of the incredible staff and dedicated volunteers who, enriched by the diversity of experiences, created a welcoming and fun environment. Being offered these scholarships felt like both recognition of my accomplishments thus far and encouragement that I can go even further. I feel indebted to the field of Natural Resources for the incredible impact it has made in my life and my desire to share that with others. Making these opportunities more accessible for POC and LGBTQIA+ communities is not only beneficial to these groups but to the conservation worlds as a whole. Progress is made by engaging difference and I hope that through my work this field continues to be and gets better at making the trail clearer for those behind us and the goal more equitable up ahead.
Working with so many different agencies, corps, and nonprofits continues to shape my understanding of public lands and how people relate to them. Specifically, the barriers, misunderstandings, and sometimes complete disconnection. My pursuit of a degree in Natural Resources and eventually Human Dimensions of Natural Resources will put power behind the findings and observations I’ve already made in my professional career. It will enable me to do actual data collection and research as well as network a coalition of programs and organizations dedicated to creating a truly equitable space in this field. By working with underprivileged communities and identifying barriers, breaking them down, and creating clear, safe professional paths I hope that it becomes more common that people can see themselves in these positions, therefore improving the stewardship of our natural resources by elevating all perspectives and experiences. In the far future, I hope to be the director of my own corp with a nationally recognized and respected trails and natural resource curriculum dedicated to empowering the next generation of stewards. Ultimately I want to follow the age-old adage; leave it better than you found it.

I thank VOC and it’s volunteers for continuing to look forward in conservation. It’s one of the same to be a steward of the land and to the community. Scholarships like these are one of many ways they show this commitment and I am honored to be a small part of the greater picture.
Beckett is one of four students to receive VOC's Grossman Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year. VOC offers two $10,000 and four $5,000 scholarships annually to eligible Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.
Applications for the 2022-23 school year are open through 11:59pm on March 31, 2022.

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