Debra McRae
Scholarship Fund 

Support Future Environmental Leaders

Debra McRae held a distinguished career at Wehr Nature Center, serving over 30 years and retiring in 2020. During her tenure, Deb welcomed over a million visitors, helped raise millions of dollars in funds for capital improvements and mentored and led dozens of employees and hundreds of volunteers. 


The Debra McRae Scholarship Fund was created to honor Debra McRae, Wehr’s third director, and her love of teaching the next generation to protect the earth and improve our natural environment.



Next application submissions open April 2027.

Deb McRae - Capturing The Heart of Wehr

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

"I am so excited for this scholarship and feel deeply honored to have my name associated with it. It blends together my two passions of the environment and education. Today more than ever we need to educate young and old about the importance of a healthy earth for our survival and well-being.”

Deb

Apply for the Debra McRae
Environmental Studies Scholarship

A minimum of two scholarships of at least $1500 each will be awarded in the 2026/2027 school year.


To be eligible for the Deb McRae Scholarship for Environmental Studies, applicants must:

Be a graduating high school senior accepted as a full-time undergraduate degree seeking student at an accredited 4-year college or university.

Be a current resident of Wisconsin.

Be pursuing a major in a field related to the environment (such as, but not limited to, environmental science, environmental education, environmental engineering, sustainability, natural resources, wildlife conservation, and environmental policy)

Exhibit dedication to the environment through community service activities and extracurricular involvement.

Scholarship Information Scholarship Application Form

For questions or more details about the scholarship please get in touch with

Bev Bryant at: beverly.bryant@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Friends of Wehr Seek Donations to Support Scholarship Fund

Honoring a Lifetime of Service by Supporting the Next Generation

The Friends of Wehr is seeking donations to support the Debra McRae Scholarship Fund for Environmental Studies. This fund was created to honor Debra McRae, Wehr’s third director, upon her retirement in 2020 after 30+ years of teaching the next generation to love and protect the earth.


The first Debra McRae Scholarship was awarded in the 2021/22 school year. The Debra McRae Scholarship for Environmental Studies is given annually to a graduating high school senior attending a recognized institute of higher education to pursue a degree in environmental science, environmental education, sustainability, or a related field. A committee of Wehr Nature Center staff and Friend of Wehr board members judge applicants based on criteria such as a student’s involvement in environmental-focused clubs and activities, coursework, and volunteer service. The scholarship recipient is announced in May and is invited to attend a FOW board meeting to receive their award.

Donating to the scholarship fund is the perfect way to honor and thank Deb for the extraordinary leadership she has given to Wehr AND support the next generation of environmental leaders. Donations to the scholarship fund are completely tax-deductible and can be made by clicking the button below or by mailing a check to the Friends of Wehr with “Scholarship fund” noted in the memo. Thank you for your support!