The advocacy group Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is offering a new fellowship named after the late canoe outfitter and wilderness advocate Bill Rom.
The Bill Rom Advocacy Fellowship, to be offered during the summer of 2012, is billed as an advanced internship where participants will get first-hand experience advocating for wilderness and related conservation issues. The fellowship will feature a trip to Washington, DC with Friends’ staff to meet with elected officials, government agencies, and staff at partner organizations.
The group seeks applicants who have experience working or volunteering in the environmental field; educational experience in environmental law and policy, or a related field; interest in professional or vocational work in the field of conservation; or experience in or knowledge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Fellows will be awarded a $500 stipend at the completion of the program.
Bill Rom was born in Ely and spent virtually his entire life in the community. After World War II, he started one of the area’s first wilderness canoe outfitting businesses, which he operated for 30 years. Rom was also a passionate wilderness advocate, working with Sigurd Olson and others to advance protection of the region.
The Advocacy Fellowship is funded by donations made in Rom’s honor after his death in 2008.
Find details on the program and application information HERE.