FOSZ Efforts

Friends of Sunset Zoo's Conservation Scholar Program

This annual scholar program supports the next generation of conservation-minded professionals by awarding the Robert Klemm, PhD, Conservation Scholar Award. The award covers an active college student's expenses related to a field conservation project, and is named in honor of Sunset Zoo's first Director of Conservation and Research, Robert Klemm, PhD. The Friends of Sunset Zoo will fund up to four awards of up to $2,000 each in 2026. 

Applications will go live on March 1st and will be due April 1st. 

Robert Klemm, PhD, Conservation Scholar Awards may be used for direct costs related to the Scholar's field work, including research that helps protect species in the wild, or protection of species or ecosystems in situ; awareness-building through informational/educational materials conducted on behalf of a non-governmental organization (NGO) that publicizes conservation; or outcome-oriented education programs that target an audience that directly impacts the species or habitat of concern. The complete definition of "field conservation" can be found from the AZA (PDF).

Reporting Requirements

Upon notification of award, all awardees are expected to submit a short, engaging video introducing a non-scientific audience to their project that can be posted to social media, like Instagram and Facebook. Videos should be submitted to Sunset Zoo by May 31, 2026.

Awardees will be required to submit a final impact report to the Friends of Sunset Zoo by the same means in which they applied for the grant. Impact reports are due at the end of the following school year, which will be May 2027 for this cycle. View the impact report form (DOCX).

The FOSZ Conservation Committee, made of FOSZ Board Members, FOSZ Membership Holders, and Zoo Staff, is the sole body responsible for determining the Robert Klemm, PhD, Conservation Scholar Awards. Applicants will be notified of the Committee's decision in writing by the President of the Friends of Sunset Zoo Board.