Please see Nature Vancouver Scholarships as well.

In 2021 Nature Vancouver established two new annual scholarships of $5000 each, in memory of Hugh Hamilton, a long-time member of Nature Vancouver. The Hugh Hamilton Memorial Scholarships were made possible through a very generous donation from Gordon and Daphne Squire, also long-time members of Nature Vancouver, to celebrate the legacy of their friend. The donation from the Squires provided funds for 5 years of scholarships (up to and including 2025). Recognizing the importance of this scholarship in terms of celebrating the life of a model naturalist and educator, and given that Nature Vancouver has received generous scholarship-directed donations, the Hugh Hamilton Memorial scholarship continues. 

These two annual scholarships are for graduate students and/or a senior undergraduate. A senior undergraduate student is generally defined to be one who has amassed at minimum one half of the academic credits towards graduation in their major. Applications for these scholarships can be submitted during the February to April period every year (submission time varies between years).

Qualifications

Only members of Nature Vancouver, or the immediate family of a member of Nature Vancouver, are eligible for this scholarship. Full consideration is given to all applicants including new members of the Society.

Students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, living or working in B.C. Applicants must also be registered for full time study at an accredited British Columbian post-secondary institution, in a program of Environmental Studies (within Natural Sciences), Forest Resources Conservation or a related program (e.g., Ecological Restoration, Applied Biology, etc.). 

Students should have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 75%, and should be continuing in their studies for at least one term following receipt of scholarship.

The 2026 scholarship season is now complete. Potential applicants can check back in February 2027 when the  new scholarship season will begin.

Past Recipients

2026 HHM Scholarship Recipients – Clare Kilgour & Neon Westereng

2025 HHM Scholarship Recipients – Tara Brudar & Daniel Stewart

2024 HHM Scholarship Recipients – Emma Kingsland & Yi-Chin (Sunny) Tseng

2023 HHM Scholarship Recipients – Austin Molby & Jaqueline Huard

2022 HHM Scholarship Recipients – Keila Stark & Ira Sutherland

2021 HHM Scholarship Recipients – Jay Matsushiba & Spencer Greening

Background

Hugh Hamilton loved and respected our home, the Earth, and the flora and fauna that animate it. His entire being reflected his ever-hearty attitude towards nature and the exploration thereof; no object / life form was too small not to be admired and examined. Whether it was leading adult camp field trips, guiding school children in stewardship of local fish bearing streams, organizing North Shore Christmas bird counts, or conducting others through the Old Growth Conservancy on Hollyburn Ridge, he gave much of his time and knowledge helping others to understand the natural world more fully. In short, he was a born “field man”! This past decade, Hugh’s many contributions were roundly applauded when he was honoured by both Nature Vancouver and West Vancouver Municipal Council who bestowed their highest awards on him (Charles & Kay Ney award and Community award, respectively). Please also see the article, “Remembering Hugh Hamilton” by Gordon Squire in Discovery, Volume 48, 2020 page 11-13.

The initial funding of $50,000 for the Hugh Hamilton Memorial scholarships was provided by Gordon and Daphne Squire. Their donation will provide for two scholarships, of $5000 each, per year for the finite period of 5 years. Friends and admirers of Hugh Hamilton are invited to contribute to this fund and thus help ensure that the period for scholarships could be extended past the five-year term. 

Additional Information

Nature Vancouver scholarships are made possible by generous donations to Nature Vancouver Endowment Fund. For more information on how to donate, please go to DONATE.

---