Georgian Bay Garden Club Bursaries Support Two Local Students in Environmental Studies
Rising tuition costs prompted the Georgian Bay Garden Club to increase its bursary value to $1,500, awarded this year to two students focused on sustainability.
Two local students with a passion for environmental protection are the latest recipients of bursaries from the Georgian Bay Garden Club.
The club has been awarding bursaries to graduating high school students in Grey and Bruce since 1993. This year, the value of the award was raised to $1,500 in recognition of rising tuition costs.
For the first time, two students are being supported — a decision made possible by a successful year of fundraising through plant sales, holiday arrangements, garage sales, and other community events.
The 2025 recipients are:
Braden Foster, a University of Waterloo student entering his third year in Environment and Business, who is also pursuing a diploma in Environmental Assessment and a minor in Environment, Resources, and Sustainability.
He volunteers with the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s Sydenham Club and Home and Community Support Services of Grey Bruce. Foster says his long-term goal is to work in environmental sustainability standards or not-for-profit leadership.
Sydney Shepherd, a recent graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound, who is beginning McMaster University’s Integrated Science program. Shepherd credits her Métis heritage and her time on the St. Mary’s Eco Team for shaping her commitment to sustainability.
She has been involved in projects from building bat boxes for endangered species to creating living fences to protect farmland, and says she hopes to become one of “the changemakers of tomorrow.”
Garden Club president Barbara Suddick said the group was pleased to expand the program. “Due to the success of our fundraisers in the past year, we are delighted to be able to help two students this fall,” she said.
More information about the Georgian Bay Garden Club’s bursary program and past recipients is available at georgianbaygardenclubowensound.com.