scholarship recipients

David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship Recipients - 2010

Aleshia and Marcella Fremgen

Aleshia and Marcella both attend Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado where they are earning degrees in biology, with an emphasis in fieldwork—in fact, they've just wrapped up a summer at the The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic! We were very impressed by both the Fremgens' dedication to environmental conservation and stewardship through field-based science and science-based policy. Aleshia is interested in a career in biology, specifically regional ecological policy. Marcella's passion is wildlife conservation. We are thrilled to support them both in pursuit of their dreams.

Photo above: Marcella and Aleshia Fremgen receiving their scholarship checks from Tara Tafi (center) of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety, in Gunnison, Colorado

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David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship Recipients - 2009

Tomas Shash

Tomas is a Biology major at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. "Having been raised with Native American traditions, I realize the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with Western science," Shash writes. He continues: "I intend to work with youth and elders in order to protect and enhance existing ecosystems. Traditional elders have profound knowledge that is in danger of being lost forever. This does not only apply to the physical, natural world, but also to the cultural realm. The youth rarely learn much of their traditions...however, they are the future; only through empowering them by applying traditional knowledge in modern situations can they appreciate its importance in the contemporary world."

Shash has been active in a wide range of on- and off-campus programs, including the President's Advisory Council for Environmental Affairs and as fire chief of the Gardner, Colorado Sundance. He is currently assisting in the construction of an informational display about traditional and contemporary uses for plants of the American Southwest at the Turtle Lake Refuge.

Photo at left: Kirstin Brown, friend and colleague of David Bucknam, presents Tomas Shash, right, with his scholarship check in Durango, Colorado

Tyler Benton

Tyler is a Geological Engineering major at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. After graduating this December, he will be working for an engineering consultancy, with plans to attend graduate school with a focus in river restoration and erosion control. Growing up on the eastern plains of Colorado, Benton has seen firsthand the impacts of land use and good stewardship. "I have learned that the way we manage our resources such as pasture, not only affects whether there will be enough grass for the cattle each season but the health of the entire shortgrass steppe ecosystem. It is important that the relationship between our actions and the resulting effects are understood so that the next generation will have the same opportunity that I enjoy today," Benton writes.

While at Mines, Tyler has been active as Chapter President of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, and has done research for both the Colorado Geological Survey and the Dendrochronology Lab of INSTARR at the University of Colorado

Photo at left: Tyler Benton, left, with Scholarship board member Peter Bucknam, in Golden, Colorado

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David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship Recipient - 2008

Amy Lankford-Coffman

Amy is currently attending Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana majoring in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Wildlife and Fisheries. We chose Amy because of her heartfelt interest in natural resources, her community service and her determination to complete a college degree. She is involved in her community and volunteers in the Tribal environmental education projects. For the past two summers she has worked at the National Bison Range Visitor Center. She is a dedicated to her family and as a mother is instilling her love of natural resources to her young children.

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David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship Recipient - 2006

Elizabeth Fortushniak, a senior at Mesa State College, is the first recipient of the David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship. Fortushniak is a senior majoring in Environmental Science. She hopes to someday work in the restoration and land management field.

“Fortushniak was chosen because of her experience in working in the out of doors as well as her dedication to her studies and the environment,” said Alan Bucknam, president of the David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship. “Her work, both in returning land to beneficial use and in educating others in land restoration techniques shows her commitment to the ideals embodied in the Scholarship.”

Download a PDF version of this press release. (72KB)

Photo above: Friends and colleagues of Dave Bucknam meet with Elizabeth Fortushniak at Mesa State. (L to R) Russ Walker, Professor, Mesa State College; Paul Krabacher, Colorado Inactive Mine Reclamation Program; Elizabeth Fortushniak; Loretta Pineda, Colorado Inactive Mine Reclamation Program.

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about the scholarship

Established by family and friends of David Bucknam in 2005, this scholarship honors Bucknam and his passion for the out- of-doors, learning and living. Bucknam was the Director of the Colorado Office of Active and Inactive Mines, which reclaims and restores abandoned mined land. The Bucknam Scholarship provides financial support to a junior or senior undergraduate student who is enrolled in an area of study at an accredited college or university with a major in a field related to mine reclamation/restoration such as biology; botany; geography; geology, hydrology; environmental, range or soil science.

The David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship Fund is a 501 (c)3 non-profit corporation based in Colorado; EIN 56-2615282. You can write to us or send donations to: The David L. Bucknam Memorial Scholarship Fund, 465 S. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80209.

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To read some stories and view some of our favorite photos of Dave, go here.