Since 2020, the Great Meadows Conservation Trust has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors who are planning a college education in any of the environmental sciences. Each year, a scholarship is awarded to a senior from each of the three GMCT towns of Glastonbury, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield. The awardees are selected by the teachers or counselors in each school.
This program was begun by a very generous $10,000 donation by the family of Betty Schmitt, who passed on October 15th, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer. Betty was a very influential member of the GMCT having served on the board of directors multiple times and holding the chair of the Land Acquisition Committee for many years. We have Betty to thank for the the acquisition of numerous parcels and for her carefully prepared instructions for evaluating the criteria for and the steps of the acquisition process.
The Schmitt family’s $10,000 seed donation was invested and this has allowed to program to continue. Additionally, at times, GMCT has been named to receive memorial donations in the obituaries of those who have passed. These donations are added to the scholarship fund.
In 2024, legacies from three Trust members, Jim Thompson, Phil Lohman, and Bob Pulford bolstered the scholarship fund.