Dr. Janice Greene, professor of biology; and Celeste Prussia, Bull Shoals Field Station manager, received a grant of $11,350 from the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society to fund the “Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems (GLADE).”

GLADE is a week-long residential academy that will be held June 20-26 at the Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station. Sixteen area teens, with the desire to impact their communities in the areas of environmental sciences and conservation leadership, were chosen to participate.

“The mission of the academy is two-fold,” said Greg Swick, program director. “It’s to encourage and develop environmental leaders and to restore critical habitat for endangered species of Missouri.”

The project allows the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society, Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri State University to join forces in conservation and education. The students will participate free of charge and will return home with the knowledge, ability and inspiration to develop environmental projects in their own communities.

GLADE has been funded by Missouri State University, the National Audubon Society’s Together Green program, the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.