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OPAF SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES OPAF has established a fund to provide financial support to our future professionals through bursaries and scholarships for educational purposes.
and whose goals are aligned with those of the Foundation and the Ontario Parks Association: open space and the environment as we practice Protecting Tomorrow Today® in the province of Ontario.” |
QUALIFICATIONS FOR AWARDS
OPAF Scholarship & Bursary Awards are open to students who are:
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Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants, or International Students (For the Len Stanley King of Kew Scholarship only - U.S. and Canadian students are eligible.)
- Enrolled at a recognized post-secondary educational institution in an ongoing multi-year college or university program at the undergraduate or graduate level.
- Pursuing studies in a program that has a focus on parks, horticulture, landscaping, conservation, or environmental resource management.
Please note: Awards to successful applicants will be granted after confirmation of enrollment and continuation of study
in their chosen program has been provided. Awards are limited to one per applicant and will be granted on merit,
which will be evaluated by the Scholarship & Bursary Committee based on criteria submitted in the application package.
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
1. Less stress! As a successful applicant you will be able to better focus on your studies, with extra money contributing to your educational expenses.
2. Completing the application will give you experience in competing for funds.
3. You only have to complete one application to qualify for all available awards! The Scholarship & Bursary Committee will determine which bursary or scholarship is best suited to the most qualified applicant.
4. You have until May 31st, 2025 to apply. Lots of time to compile the necessary information, secure the references and draft a cover letter!
5. Receiving an award looks good on a resume!
6. Successful applicants are honored by the OPA and OPAF and recognized in the Green Sward (the OPA magazine) – a valuable addition to your portfolio.
7. Successful applicants receive a one-year membership to the OPA, providing the student with networking, educational and career opportunities of a lifetime!
For more information please contact: Scholar@opaf.ca
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified applicants must register online and then submit the required enclosed documents outlined on the registration page to complete their application package. The application documents package must be post marked or emailed prior to midnight May 31st , 2025.
Upon submission of application documents package the applicant will receive a confirmation email to acknowledge to receipt of the application.
All applicants will be evaluated based on the information provided in their application package by the Scholarship & Bursary Committee.
The Scholarship & Bursary Committee is comprised of a quorum of the Ontario Parks Association Foundation Board.
All decisions made by the Scholarship & Bursary Committee are considered final.
Please click here to print the 2025 Scholarship & Bursary Application Form.
JOIN AN INDUSTRY PROGRAM
Looking for a College or University with parks, horticulture, environmental or other related programs?
Click here for a list of Colleges and Universities in Ontario!
AVAILABLE AWARDS
The OPA Foundation has made available a total of five bursaries worth $2,000 each and three scholarship awards in the amount of $1,000 each.
Any bursary or scholarship awarded by The Ontario Parks Association Foundation is to be used towards:
- Payment of tuition fees.
- The purchase of course materials (academic books and supplies).
- Residency.
- Other associated educational expenses.
Congratulations to this year's exceptionally deserving recipients!
Your hard work, dedication, and passion have truly set you apart, and we are honored to celebrate your achievements.
May these awards inspire you to continue reaching for your dreams and making a meaningful impact on the world.
City of Mississauga Scholarship The City of Mississauga made this award possible because of the outstanding fund raising efforts by their Community Services Department staff. As hosts for the annual OPAF Golf Tournament in 2003 they raised more money for OPAF than any other single event in the foundation history to date. This award will be presented to an individual that the Scholarship & Bursary Committee feels is most deserving of this scholarship. 2024 Award Recipient: Mollie Slemon – Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, Associate Diploma Horticulture Sponsorship opportunity still available! Check out the details below | Joyce Anderson Bursary This award was established through the generous donation made by Frank Anderson as a memorial to his loving wife Joyce. Frank was one of the founding members of the OPAF and served the OPA in many capacities throughout his distinguished career in municipal park services. The Scholarship & Bursary Committee will award this bursary to a deserving student based on their academic performance and financial need. 2024 Award Recipient: Sophia Nazari – University of Guelph, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture This award has been sponsored for 2023 - 2025 by: MAGLIN SITE FURNITURE
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Len Stanley - King of Kew Scholarship Len Stanley was one of the founding members of the OPAF and had a long, distinguished career in the City of Toronto park system. He became known as the "King of Kew Gardens" by his fellow colleagues after becoming the superintendent of this Toronto park, and for his ongoing leadership capacity in the OPA. Awarded to a deserving student whose home address is in the GTA and meets the following criteria:
2024 Award Recipient: Anika Yogasundram Humber College, Landscape Technician Program Sponsorship opportunity still available! Check out the details below | Protecting Tomorrow Today® Bursary This award will be presented to a student registered in an eligible post-secondary program who has demonstrated exceptional involvement and commitment towards environmental protection and conservation. Students applying for this award should provide a detailed outline of related activities they have been involved in that have benefited their community, school or some other organization. Areas of activity can be related to conservation management, public park improvement, landscape design and or construction or some other form of environmental protection. The OPAF Awards Committee reserves the right to withhold the award in any given year if applicants do not fulfill selection requirements. Scholastic standing is not a criteria for selection. 2024 Award Recipient: Dale Graham Queens University, BAS Environmental Studies This award has been sponsored for 2022 - 2024 by Molok North America Ltd.
| Dan and Margaret Costea Bursary This award was established through a generous donation made by Dan and Margaret Costea. Dan has been a member of the Ontario Parks Association since 1959, and has been a great supporter of OPA throughout the years. Dan is a Past President and life member of OPA, and is also a Past President of the Saskatchewan Recreation & Parks Association. This award will be presented to an individual that the The Scholarship & Bursary Committee feels is most deserving. 2024 Award Recipient: Priscilla Chan Toronto Metropolitan University, Landscape Design This award has been sponsored by: DAN AND MARGARET COSTEA |
Beulah & Harry Christian, Margaret & Ernie Seager Bursary These two couples, who were longtime friends and great supporters of the OPAF, donated this award. Both Harry and Ernie are former Presidents of the OPA, and were awarded lifetime memberships for their dedication and many years of service to the advancement of municipal and regional park systems in Ontario. Awarded to a qualified individual based on marks, but most importantly, need and effort.
2024 Award Recipient: Emma Pothion University of Guelph, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Sponsorship opportunity still available! Check out the details below. | Dave Gower OPAF Bursary Dave was a great supporter of the OPA throughout his career in the municipal park field. He was also a former President of the Association and a great advocate for the OPAF. This award was named in his honour and will be given to an individual who the The Scholarship & Bursary Committee feels is the most deserving of this bursary.
2024 Award Recipient: Niloufar Mohsenivafa University of Guelph, Master of Landscape Architecture
This award has been sponsored for 2023 - 2025 by Plant Products
| Vic Hergott Memorial Scholarship This scholarship honours the contributions of Vic Hergott, a lifetime OPA member and former president of the OPA. He was also a chair of the OPAF. Vic organized many Dave Gower golf tournaments, which financially supports the OPAF. Vic was employed for 34 years in the areas of municipal parks and recreation. At the time of his retirement, Vic was Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Brantford, Ontario. This award will be presented to an individual that the The Scholarship & Bursary Committee feels is the most deserving. 2024 Award Recipient: Ben Bogias University of Waterloo, Planning BES This award has been sponsored for 2023- 2025 by OpenSpace Solutions Inc.  |
Want to help OPAF support students in parks, horticulture, environmental or other related programs? Consider sponsoring an award! Fill out the Sponsorship Application to sponsor an award for 3 years. |