DAVID SOULES CONSERVATION MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Erick Sanchez
Field of Study: Double Major in Range Science and General Agriculture
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.
Joseph Youtz
Field of Study: PhD in Geography; housed in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology
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.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
In 2021, Nuestra Tierra launched the scholarship in honor of the late conservation community leader and New Mexico State University (NMSU) alumni, David Soules, to support students pursuing a career in conservation.
The two selected winners receive $1,000 each, going towards their NMSU Spring or Fall Semester.
As of today, Nuestra Tierra has awarded $8,000 to 8 scholarship applicants!