Students in Northeastern Pennsylvania interested in sustainability and community development have an opportunity to apply for a new scholarship aimed at supporting the next generation of environmental leaders.
The nonprofit SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support) has announced the 2026 SEEDS Sustainability Scholarship, a $1,000 award created in memory of Michael “Jake” Burkhardt, a former student intern with the organization.
Burkhardt worked with SEEDS as a high school student and was known for his enthusiasm for community service and environmental stewardship. A member of the Class of 2015 at Western Wayne High School, he is remembered by the organization as someone who cared deeply about his family, his community, and the natural environment. The scholarship was created to honor that legacy by supporting students who share similar commitments to sustainability.
The award is open to graduating seniors from several schools in Wayne and Pike counties, including Western Wayne High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, Canaan Christian Academy and Delaware Valley High School. Home-schooled seniors living in the areas served by those schools are also eligible.
Applicants must submit an essay exploring the role rural communities can play in shaping a sustainable future. The prompt asks students to consider how residents of places like Wayne or Pike counties can contribute to sustainability locally and globally, how communities can balance environmental priorities with economic development, and to offer examples of where sustainability efforts are succeeding—or falling short—in their county.
Essays should be between 600 and 1,600 words and must include properly cited research. Submissions can be sent in the body of an email or attached as a Microsoft Word document.
Applications must also include the student’s contact information, parent or guardian details, current school or home-school status, intended field of study, and the college they plan to attend in the fall.
Completed applications must be emailed to director@seedsgroup.net by 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
More information about the scholarship and SEEDS’ programs is available at seedsgroup.net, by calling 570-245-1256, or through school guidance counselor offices.
SEEDS works throughout the region to promote sustainability through education, community engagement, and programs that support future leaders focused on environmental responsibility and thoughtful development.