A Passion for Conservation by Chloe

A Passion for Conservation by Chloe - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

I have always loved nature. It has been a passion of mine ever since I was a little girl. As I got older, I became more aware and developed the critical thinking skills to see everything we were doing to the world around us from the little things like littering, to things as big as deforestation. And ever since then, I have always known that somehow, someway, I had to do my part to protect the beautiful environment that surrounds us. Then in middle school, I fell in love with my biology class in the seventh grade and my teacher, Mrs. Meirs, helped me to realize science was my favorite subject. That year I figured out that science was how I was going to contribute to conservation efforts.

At Colorado State University, I am majoring in the degree of zoology because this degree most closely aligns with my goals. I feel that this program will allow me to develop a specialized set of skills geared toward ecosystems, conservation, and biodiversity. Ensuring that I have the knowledge I need to truly protect and care for these creatures as well as their homes properly. So, the major of zoology at Colorado State University could be the one thing that would finally allow me to make the type and size of impact I truly desire to have and to be able to change this world for the better. The ABC Humane Wildlife Scholarship would help me achieve my plans by funding my education at Colorado State University to achieve my degree in zoology. I am diagnosed with Familial Mediterranean Fever. My symptoms are fever, fatigue, arthritis, and nausea. I just need more sleep than my peers. On top of this I've struggled with anxiety and depression, but, the one thing that has always helped me is nature and living creatures. That is why I want to major in zoology and conservation. I want to protect the things that have always protected me.
But in the meantime, I am still finding ways to do what I love. One of the main ways is volunteering. Service is working not for money but to better your community. It’s doing something that you might not always like just for the greater good. If you are as lucky as me, you might even find volunteer work you love and are passionate about. I volunteer at a local animal shelter. I spend time with cats, walk dogs, and take pictures of the animals to help get them adopted. Paws Shelter of Central Texas is a no kill shelter that takes in and saves animals from other shelters. They make a lifetime commitment to their animals, and you are required to take them back to the shelter if you have to get rid of them for some reason. This is why I do everything in my power to support this shelter. One time they didn’t have the staff to pick up a dog that was going to be euthanized. My mom and I volunteered to pick him up. He was the sweetest dog. We named him Sterling. He now lives with his forever family. We have also transported a cat with a suspected broken leg for medical evaluation and treatment. She has also been adopted and is now with her forever family. We take donations of laundry detergent, kitty litter, paper towels and other supplies almost every time we volunteer. This is one of the small ways I am able to contribute now.
When I am struggling with my health, and even when I am not, I often head outdoors to enjoy our environment. I have a hammock chair on my porch and frequently just sit outside. Walks are an integral part of my health and maintaining my mental health. At Colorado State University, I walk about 20 minutes to and from my classes. The beauty that surrounds me lifts my mood. Walking my dog and the dogs at Paws of Central Texas is my therapy. Some of my best memories are walking on the beach with my mom, or just lying to listen to the waves.
I was a member of Amplify at Colorado State University. Amplify is a residential learning community for Natural Science majors. I wanted to give myself every opportunity to be successful. Because of my career goals, I chose to major in zoology, and I see myself working in the field to protect threatened and endangered species. As humans we depend on a healthy ecosystem. It is important to protect all species because we are all interwoven and dependent on each other. Protecting our environment and its creatures ensures it will be here for future generations. Being aware of and monitoring threatened species can give us an indication of problems in our environment that need to be addressed. I think it could be very interesting to work in the field trapping endangered and threatened species because I would be out working in this beautiful environment that surrounds us. It would be a hands-on career that is such important work to make sure populations are healthy. I want to preserve this environment for myself to enjoy as well as all future generations.