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SUNY ESF
Apprenticeships and Fellowships

Four opportunities are available to support current and recent students and early-career professionals working with the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center and Huntington Wildlife Forest Newcomb Campus.

To donate to these funds, visit the ESF Office of Development webpage, click Give Now and select the donation amount.  Under Designation, choose “Other” from the drop-down list and type the fund name in the “Tell us” special instructions window.  Your support is appreciated!

Richard W. Sage, Jr. Apprenticeship

The Sage Apprenticeship provides meaningful professional field experience and skill acquisition to the recipient including communication, leadership, organization, data management, etc. Generally given out in even years.

Eligibility:

  • The primary criteria for apprenticeship selection shall be the applicant’s professional potential as demonstrated by a positive work ethic, motivation, and intellect.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have previously been exposed to AEC or HWF and have exhibited an enthusiasm and appreciation for the outdoor environment, and the field of natural resource management.
  • All qualified applicants regardless of institutional affiliation or degree aspiration shall be considered for the apprenticeship. Non-student candidates are eligible.

Background: Richard W. Sage Jr. was Associate Director of the Adirondack Ecological Center as well as a forestry and wildlife technician for ESF. Dick was an expert in white-tailed deer, silviculture and management, and black bear ecology among other topics. He was active in K-12 and public outreach efforts and was awarded the President's ESF Public Service Award. In 1997, he received the Environmental Science Award from the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board in recognition of his forestry and conservation contributions to the Adirondack environment. Dick earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from ESF.

William W. Webb Apprenticeship

The Webb Apprenticeship provides meaningful professional field experience and skill acquisition to the recipient including communication, leadership, organization, data management, etc.  Generally given out in odd years.

Eligibility:

  • The primary criteria for apprenticeship selection shall be the applicant’s professional potential as demonstrated by a positive work ethic, motivation, and intellect, evidence of previous academic accomplishment, and/or promise of future intellectual attainment. 
  • Enthusiasm and appreciation for the outdoor environment and the field of natural resource management are also desired characteristics.
  • All qualified applicants regardless of institutional affiliation or degree aspiration shall be considered for the apprenticeship. Non-student candidates are eligible.

Background: Dr. Webb held B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, New York. He was Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor at ESF, where he served over 40 years.  Dr. Webb was an officer in the Navy during World War II.  Dr. Webb also served on the committee of Scientists appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to develop and implement the National Forest Management Act. He was a consultant to the President's Panel on Timber and the Environment and was honored as one of the top twenty conservationists in the country during his career.

William F. Porter Research Fellowship

The William F. Porter Research Fellowship supports an outstanding undergraduate student working in natural or social-ecological sciences to study at the Adirondack Ecological Center at the ESF Newcomb Campus.  This fellowship will provide the selected student the opportunity to work in tandem with skilled research staff to create a tailored research project.

Eligibility: ESF undergraduate students planning or currently conducting research.

Background: Dr. Bill Porter was the Director of the Adirondack Ecological Center and a faculty member of the former Department of Environmental and Forest Biology for over 30 years. His research specializations included wildlife ecology and management, communication and leadership in natural resource management, land-use change, emerging diseases in wildlife, and conservation policy among other topics.  Bill was a nationally-recognized expert on Wild Turkey, white-tailed deer, geospatial analysis and many other topics.  Bill received his B.S. at the University of Northern Iowa and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. 

Charles Cross Fellowship

The Cross Fellowship provides support for a research-based field experience and skill acquisition to the recipient. 

Eligibility: Current graduate or undergraduate students.

Background: Dr. Charles Cross received both an M.S. and Ph.D. from ESF. His doctoral work was in forest zoology and his primary research was conducted at Huntington Wildlife Forest on the ESF Newcomb Campus. During his academic career, Dr. Cross was granted a Huntington Wildlife Fellowship in which he worked as a part-time research assistant. 

For more information on applying to or supporting these apprenticeships and fellowships, please contact the AEC Director of Research.  Apprentices are short-term employees of ESF and fellows are student recipients.