College Scholarship Apps Due June 30

CPNRD Offers $5,000 in Scholarships for College Students in Natural Resources

College students pursuing careers in natural resources are encouraged to apply for the CPNRD-Ron Bishop Memorial College Scholarship, now open for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) will award five $1,000 scholarships to eligible students enrolled in accredited natural resources programs.

Applicants must be college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students majoring in a qualifying natural resources-related field. Students must either reside within the CPNRD boundaries—from Gothenburg to Columbus along the Platte River—or have a parent who does. Previous applicants and past recipients are welcome to reapply.

Since its inception in 2007, the CPNRD scholarship program has provided financial support to 136 students. The program was renamed in 2014 in honor of Ron Bishop, CPNRD’s former general manager who served from 1972 to 2013.

Applications must be postmarked by June 30, 2025.
To apply, download the application form at cpnrd.org/education/scholarships, or contact Marcia Lee at (308) 385-6282 or lee@cpnrd.org.

Eligible Majors Include:

• Agriculture: Agronomist, Engineer, Business Representative, Applied Science/Diversified
• Biology
• Civil, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering
• Conservation or Natural Resources Management
• Environmental/Natural Resources Education
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Geology or Geological Engineering
• Grazing Livestock Systems
• Hydrology or Hydrogeology
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Soil Engineering or Soil Conservation
• Rangeland Management
• Vocational/Agriculture Education
• Water Resources Specialization
• Other careers related to natural resources