Steve Nelson Memorial Scholarship
The Cherokee County Conservation Steven Nelson Memorial Scholarship ($700) will be awarded annually to help a qualified Cherokee or MMC-RU student pursuing a college degree that will allow them to enter into a career in fisheries and wildlife conservation or environmental sciences. This is not a need-based scholarship.
 
Applications are due April 1 of each year. Applications will be screened and a recommendation made by the Cherokee County Conservation Scholarship Committee. The Board of Directors of Cherokee County Conservation will review the recommendation. If no applicants are qualified, the scholarship will not be awarded.
 
The scholarship will be awarded/presented by the chairperson or designee of the Board of Directors of Cherokee County Conservation at the May Conservation Board meeting. 

Scholarship Application Form (PDF)

If you'd like to donate funds to support the continuation of this scholarship and in memory of Steve Nelson, please make checks out to the CCCB and mail them with a note mentioning this scholarship to CCCB, 629 River Rd, Cherokee, IA 51012.

Steve Nelson (left) receiving a service award from Dave Skou (right) for his 23 yrs of service as a CCCB board member.

Steve Nelson (2nd from left) with other CCCB board members.

The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
Steve Nelson was a member of the Cherokee County Conservation Board for 23 yrs before stepping down in January 2020.  (As of 2023, he is the longest serving board member.) He was very interested in the outdoors throughout his life, graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology and continuing on to receive his Master’s of Science degree in Environmental and Forest Biology from State University of New York College of Environmental Science of Forestry. Steve was a lifelong learner who continued to research in order to improve his conservation efforts and farming practices. In addition to his service on the Conservation and church boards, he served on the Board of Directors for the First Cooperative Association from 2005 to 2011.

Unfortunately, Steve passed away due to an ATV accident in July 2020. To celebrate his life and legacy, his family established this scholarship through the CCCB to assist students in their lifelong learning.

Cherokee County Conservation Board
629 River Rd
Cherokee, IA 51012
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00am-4:30pm
Phone: 712-225-6709
E-mail: [email protected]
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