Bald Head Island Conservancy Receives $424,582 IMLS Grant to Strengthen STEM and Conservation Workforce Development
Bald Head Island Conservancy Receives $424,582 IMLS Grant to Strengthen STEM and Conservation Workforce Development
Bald Head Island, N.C. — The Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) has been awarded a $424,582, three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through its 21st Century Museum Professionals Program to expand hands-on training and career pathways in conservation, research, environmental education, science communication, and informal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
The project will build on BHIC’s established internship, technician, and fellowship programs while creating new opportunities for high school and community college students. These programs will create a connected pathway from early exposure to STEM and conservation starting with highschoolers through undergraduate internships, post-baccalaureate positions, and graduate-level research, preparing participants for careers in museums, informal science education, conservation, and environmental organizations.
The three-year project runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029, with the first grant-supported participant cohorts beginning in 2027.
Over the course of the project, BHIC will support 75 high school students, 44 undergraduate interns, 12 post-baccalaureate technicians, and three Johnston Coastal Sustainability graduate student Fellows. The project will also establish Sea Turtle Scientists in Training, a new field-based program for Brunswick Community College biology students developed in partnership with Brunswick Community College.
Expanding Hands-On Opportunities
BHIC’s internship, technician, and fellowship programs provide students and early-career professionals with immersive experience in conservation, research, education, and communication. IMLS funding will expand these opportunities while strengthening connections between programs.
High school students will participate in hands-on volunteer activities such as supporting summer camps and field trips, trail maintenance, and conservation fieldwork. Through training and mentorship from BHIC staff, participants will build foundational STEM and leadership skills while exploring careers in conservation, research, and environmental education.
Undergraduate interns will participate in residential summer and fall programs focused on environmental education, sea turtle conservation, coastal environmental science, and marketing.
Post-baccalaureate technicians will take on nine-month positions that provide advanced experience in conservation, research, education, and communications.
The project will also provide IMLS support for BHIC’s existing Johnston Coastal Sustainability Fellowship, which provides $20,000 annually to one graduate student to conduct applied coastal sustainability research in collaboration with BHIC and the student’s university.
Through Sea Turtle Scientists in Training, Brunswick Community College biology students will participate in an immersive introduction to sea turtle biology, conservation, research, and data analysis through hands-on field experiences at BHIC.
All IMLS supported programs will incorporate peer mentorship, giving participants opportunities to learn from one another while also allowing interns, technicians, and fellows to build leadership and mentoring experience.
Preparing the Next Generation
Bald Head Island provides a unique setting for participants to apply what they are learning directly in the field. Students and early-career professionals supported by the grant will work alongside BHIC staff on projects involving wildlife, ecosystems, research, and public education while developing the communication, teamwork, leadership, and professional skills needed for careers in museums, informal science education, conservation, and environmental organizations. Participants will also have opportunities to share their work through public presentations and professional conferences, providing experience communicating science and research to both public and professional audiences.
The project will expand access to hands-on STEM and museum workforce experiences for students and early-career professionals from coastal and rural communities, where geographic and financial barriers can make these opportunities more difficult to access.
Dr. Jennifer Wiggen, BHIC Director of Education & Engagement and principal investigator for the project, said:
“The IMLS grant provides important funding that allows us to continue investing in the next generation of environmental educators and conservation scientists. By supporting education, conservation training, and professional development, the program helps build a strong pipeline of future environmental leaders. These individuals will learn from experienced mentors at the Bald Head Island Conservancy which will equip them with the tools, skills and hands-on experience they need to become effective environmental educators, scientists, and advocates for the natural world around them.”
Dr. G. Christopher Shank, Executive Director of BHIC, said:
“Receiving this IMLS grant is fantastic recognition for our current mentorship program for our interns, technicians, and graduate fellows. It will also allow the Conservancy to pursue new opportunities to mentor future conservation scientists and educators as well as those who will pursue one of the many great careers in public science museums.”
For more information, contact:
Dr. Jennifer Wiggen
Director of Education & Engagement
Bald Head Island Conservancy
jennifer@bhic.org | (910) 457-0089
About Bald Head Island Conservancy
Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 that champions the sustainability of barrier islands through environmental research, conservation stewardship, and education. BHIC works to protect the island’s habitats and wildlife through research, partnerships, and public engagement.
About The Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
