Howard Wood spent summers at his grandmother’s farm crabbing, sailing and swimming if the jellyfish weren’t too thick. He helped with chores and learned to drive her Model T pick-up. After college and law school, Howard decided to live year-round at Indiantown – the farm next door to his grandmother’s – and open his law office in Centreville. He soon became aware that the increasing urbanization of the Shore threatened the livelihood of many of his clients – farmers and watermen – as well as the natural and fertile beauty of the area he loved so much. In addition to spending many volunteer hours working with the Maryland Environmental Trust, Howard was a founding Board member of Easter Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC). In conjunction with the work of those two organizations — particularly ESLC — he helped many neighbors, clients and friends place conservation easements on their land.
To honor Howard and the place he loved and worked to protect, the Wood Family has recently established the Howard Wood Memorial Scholarship; they know that helping a student interested in a career in conservation would continue Howard’s legacy.
Anyone looking to pursue a career in agriculture, land use planning, alternative energy planning or other conservation-related field may apply. The scholarship competition is open to those who are residents of the six counties ESLC serves – Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. Applications are available via ESLC’s website. To apply, applicants should fill out an application, provide a high school or college transcript and submit a 500-word original essay describing their response to the following question(s):
Consider the Eastern Shore in the next 25 years – what is your vision for the Shore? What will you do to assure the Eastern Shore remains the rural gem and special place that it is for the future? Please include your academic plans, career aspirations and future goals when responding to this question.
“Our young people are the key to the Shore’s future and we are so grateful to the Wood family for this generous gift to help a local youth further their education in conservation.” said ESLC’s Executive Director Rob Etgen. “We hope this scholarship will help assure that the Shore’s rural legacy that was so important to Howard is maintained for future generations.” Scholarship applications are due by December 31. Applications will be judged by a panel in January, and one scholarship recipient will be selected and announced in late Winter 2011.
For more information about the scholarship program, contact Kristine George at 410.827.9756 ext. 165 or [email protected].
Melinda says
I had the privilege of getting to know Howard Wood for perhaps the last ten years of his life. He was one of the kindest, gentlest, humble and most humanitarian persons I had ever known. The Wood family is to be commended for honoring him in such a life affirming way; each student who benefits will have an added bonus as a reminder of his legacy.
ford says
We have been very lucky to have the Woods as such an important part of our community. This schorship is a wonderful way to honor Howard and his great contribution towards enhancing our area’s quality of life. I am so grateful to have known him.