Outdoor News Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Class
Fueling the next generation of hunters, anglers & conservation leaders
Thanks to generous supporters, the Outdoor News Foundation has awarded its second-year scholarships to outstanding students and to collegiate programs that bring hands-on outdoor experiences to campus. Meet the recipients, see what your support makes possible, and help us keep the momentum going.
Your Impact in Our Second Year (2026)
- 3 scholarships (across three states) to aspiring conservation professionals
- 2 collegiate programs funded to get students directly outdoors
- Nearly 250 students received access to OutdoorNews.com
- 2,500 copies of Outdoor News placed into the hands of youth
Meet the 2026 Student Recipients
Noah Thelen — Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
School: University of Minnesota–Twin Cities (senior)
An avid angler and hunter, Noah is on track to graduate in spring 2027 and aims to become a fisheries research biologist with a state or federal agency. He already works as a lab technician with Minnesota Sea Grant researching sustainable yellow perch and golden shiner aquaculture, and he has conducted fish surveys with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and worked on invasive carp management with the Minnesota DNR. Off the clock, he assists with DNR trout research on the North Shore, maintains wood duck nesting boxes, and volunteers each year with Anoka Waterfowl for Warriors.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship! It will help wonders with me finishing up my last year here at the U of M. Thanks for all your time and effort from Outdoor News, my family has read the newspaper since before I was even born!”
How your support helps Noah: Scholarship funding helps him finish his degree while continuing the hands-on research and volunteer work that are preparing him for a career in fisheries science.
Jace Kelnhofer — Wildlife Management & Ecology
Hometown: Marshfield, Wisconsin
School: University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (junior)
A former Outdoor News Junior Pro Team member and serious waterfowler, Jace plans to build a career managing habitat for game species somewhere in the central United States. He’s also broadening his skills beyond his major, including training in wildland firefighting. His first deer, an 8-point buck, appeared in Outdoor News, and a laminated copy of that page still hangs in his room.
“I love working outside so anything wildlife related is definitely a want! And wherever the road takes me, I’ll go! Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Iowa, and Tennessee. They all call to me!”
How your support helps Alex: Scholarship support eases the cost of school so he can pursue coursework and training that will make him a well-rounded wildlife professional.
Ethan Falkinburg — Environment & Natural Resources
Hometown: Avon, Ohio
School: The Ohio State University (senior)
Ethan plans to pursue graduate school with a focus on avian gamebird conservation. He has interned at Winous Point Marsh Conservancy and with the Ohio DNR, and as a youth he was an Outdoor News Junior Pro Team member whose hunting and catch-and-release fishing photos appeared in many editions of Ohio Outdoor News.
“I am very grateful to receive the McNeese scholarship from the Outdoor News Foundation, as this will assist my journey to and through graduate school in avian gamebird conservation.”
How your support helps Alex: Scholarship funding helps him complete his undergraduate degree and take the next step toward graduate research in gamebird conservation.
Program Partners We’re Backing in 2026
Delta Waterfowl — University Hunting Program (UHP)
Launched in 2017, UHP gives wildlife management students, many of whom have never hunted ducks, first-hand exposure to waterfowling and the role of hunting in North American conservation. More than 120 colleges are affiliated, and students take part as a component of a regular wildlife course: they complete hunter safety, practice shooting skills, join a mentored hunt at a quality location, then debrief over a post-hunt meal and discussion.
Why it matters: Tomorrow’s waterfowl managers gain practical context for habitat and policy decisions, along with an appreciation for how ethical hunting funds conservation.
Outdoor Writers Association of America — Bodie McDowell Scholarship (new in 2026)
Named for former OWAA President Bodie McDowell, this scholarship is awarded annually to three or more undergraduate or graduate students in outdoor communications, including print, photography, film, art, poetry, and broadcasting. This year’s awards will be presented in spring 2027, coinciding with OWAA’s 100th anniversary. Learn more or apply at owaa.org.
Why it matters: Supporting the next generation of outdoor storytellers keeps hunting, fishing, and conservation in front of the public, told by people who know and live it.
Press & Details
Want the full story, quotes, and program specifics? Read the complete release with all recipient details.
About the Outdoor News Foundation
Founded by the trusted outdoor media brand Outdoor News (est. 1968), the Outdoor News Foundation recruits new hunters, anglers, and conservationists through hands-on experiences and practical support—scholarships, campus partnerships, and access to outdoor education resources. Together, we’re building lifelong connections to the outdoor heritage that funds and sustains North American wildlife.
