SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Rusticus generously provides grants and scholarships to environmental organizations in the community that share our mission.   Thanks to the largesse of our members fundraising efforts, we underwrite summer internships for primarily college students at local not for profit organizations.  Rusticus sees this as an opportunity to foster the next generation of environmental stewards as well as helping the organizations that employ the interns. Last year the following organizations received our internship grants:

• Bedford Audubon
• Bedford 2020
• DIG Farm
• Hilltop Hanover
• Lewisboro Land Trust
• Mianus River Gorge
• Pound Ridge Land Trust
• Westchester Land Trust
• Westmoreland Sanctuary

Since the internship program was started in 2012, Rusticus has underwritten over $75,000 in internships and we have thoroughly enjoyed hearing or reading about the interns remarkable hands-on work. One of our former interns is now a valued staff member at a local preserve and another is a legislative aid for our Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney!

Reilly Grzywacz, from Wilton, CT, is the 2020 Rusticus Intern.

​In 2011, Mianus River Gorge, Inc. (MRG) and Rusticus Garden Club established a three-year, Wildlife Technician Program honoring the late MJ Mercurio, a beloved member of Rusticus.  Since then, Rusticus has contributed internship support for many high school students chosen by MRG.  

Annually, Rusticus makes donations to a number of local organizations, and periodically we award grants for specific projects at community environmental organizations.   In 2009 Rusticus granted $20,000 to the Marsh Sanctuary for a community garden.   In 2016 we awarded $20,000 towards five projects; a compost project at Fox Lane High School, a wildflower garden at Mianus River Gorge, native plant signage at Hilltop Hanover Farm, a bee curriculum at Westmoreland Sanctuary, and planters of native plants in Bedford Hills.