About the the David Soules Conservation Memorial Scholarship
“David cared deeply for the natural places and things unique to Southern New Mexico. He spent countless hours learning the history of his home, and sharing his knowledge with others.He was committed to protecting and preserving that history and heritage for us all. I am honored that Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project has seen fit to memorialize his vision with this scholarship, and grateful his memory will be honored in such a fitting way,"
- Nacy Soules, wife of David Soules
Congratulations to the 2025 Scholarship Recipients!
Erick Sanchez
Field of Study: Double Major in Range Science and General Agriculture
About Erick: Raised in the Bootheel of New Mexico, Erick built his commitment to conservation through his family’s agricultural work and his experiences on the Diamond A Ranch. Now a junior at New Mexico State University pursuing a double major in Range Science and General Agriculture, he is dedicated to restoring rangelands, strengthening soil and water health, and advancing sustainable land management. Guided by a holistic approach, his vision is to weave ancestral knowledge with modern science to build systems where communities, landscapes, and wildlife thrive together. Erick strives to ensure that the desert landscapes that shaped his life not only endure but flourish as resilient legacies for generations to come. His work reflects both responsibility to his roots and a commitment to the future.
"What drives me is not a line on a resume but an obligation etched into my roots, my hands, and my heart to heal the land I call home in New Mexico. I have planted seeds in wildfire ash and watched green shoots pierce blackened soil, proof that even scorched earth remembers how to heal. I walked miles mapping invasive mesquite so blue grama might reclaim territory, scattered seed across bare ground after monsoons to welcome life back, and rebuilt fences that guided cattle while leaving open corridors for pronghorn. As a teenager, I joined a crew clearing debris from a spring in the Animas Mountains and planted cottonwoods whose shade summoned dragonflies and owls back to its banks. These acts may seem small, but each affirmed one truth: conservation is not preserved in speeches or policy; it lives in the quiet partnership between people, the land, and the wildlife that depend on both."
Joseph Youtz
Field of Study: PhD in Geography; housed in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology
About Joseph: From Edgewood, New Mexico, Joseph received his undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology from New Mexico State University before completing his Masters in Biology at Arkansas State University. He is broadly interested in biogeography and ornithology, and most of his previous work has investigated how wild birds respond to climatic and landscape changes. Joseph's doctorate work seeks to understand how a suite of native wildlife species are responding to extreme weather events within pinyon-juniper woodlands of central New Mexico, and how these events can be mitigated through different forest management techniques. Joseph is a frequent birder and hiker and enjoys spending time outdoors exploring the natural world with his wife and 16-month-old son.
"I learned the importance of conserving natural places and the sense of loss that follows once these landscapes are altered by human activities. The Rodeo-Chediski Fire was one of the largest recorded wildfires in Arizona’s history and devastated the area near my hometown. The fire burned to within one mile of my childhood home (forcing our prolonged evacuation) before it slowed and eventually extinguished in areas that had received forest management. Burnt sticks replaced the lush forests I once knew, and more than 20 years later many places remain bare or have fully transitioned to oak-juniper woodlands as climate/ecological effects shifted following the fire. This experience left a deep impact on me, as it showed the importance of implementing management activities while also instilling a passion for the conservation of natural spaces and the wildlife they support."
As part of the scholarship, we encourage recipients to continue their education, expand their knowledge and passion, and give back to the community. Beginning October 2025, current David Soules Scholarship recipients will be required to participate in at least one (1) volunteer opportunity hosted by Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project.