Outdoor Fellows Program
Turn Your Passion for the Outdoors Into Your Future
The Outdoor Fellows Program brings together students who share a passion for hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors. Through hands-on experiences, professional networking, leadership development, and service opportunities, you’ll build lifelong connections while preparing for careers in Alabama’s growing outdoor industry.
Learn Beyond the Classroom
The Outdoor Fellows Program is an extracurricular leadership experience designed for students who want to stay connected to the outdoors while earning their degree. Open to students from every major, the program combines outdoor experiences, conservation initiatives, and professional development to help students grow personally and professionally.
Rooted in Alabama’s Black Belt, one of the nation’s richest regions for wildlife and natural resources, the program connects classroom learning with real-world experiences while introducing students to career opportunities in conservation, recreation, tourism, wildlife management, and the outdoor industry.
Why Become an Outdoor Fellow?
Turn Your Passion Into Opportunity
Build connections, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for your future as part of a community that shares your passion for the outdoors.
Build Community
Meet students who share your passion for hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors.
Gain Real Experience
Participate in outdoor excursions, conservation projects, and field experiences that bring learning to life.
Grow as a Leader
Develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through service, collaboration, and shared outdoor experiences.
Build Your Network
Connect with outdoor professionals, conservation organizations, businesses, and industry leaders from across Alabama.
Prepare for Your Future
Explore careers in wildlife management, conservation, tourism, natural resources, and the hunting and fishing industries.
Your Classroom Has No Walls
Outdoor Fellows experience Alabama’s natural resources firsthand through activities such as:
- Hunting and fishing trips
- Conservation and habitat improvement projects
- Outdoor leadership experiences
- Educational seminars
- Wildlife and land management activities
- Service projects throughout the region
Each experience is designed to deepen your appreciation for the outdoors while building practical skills.
Scholarships Available
Established in 2026, the Outdoor Fellows Program offers scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students who demonstrate a passion for wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors.
Recipients become part of a community that values leadership, stewardship, and experiential learning while pursuing their college education at UWA.
Career Connections
Explore Careers in the Outdoor Industry
The Outdoor Fellows Program introduces you to professionals, organizations, and businesses shaping the future of outdoor recreation, conservation, and natural resource management.
Through seminars, field experiences, networking opportunities, and industry partnerships, you can gain insight into career paths that connect your education with your passion for the outdoors.
- Wildlife and fisheries
- Conservation organizations
- Forestry and natural resources
- Parks and public lands
- Game and habitat management
- Outdoor recreation
- Tourism and destination management
- Hunting and fishing industries
- Outdoor products and equipment
- Community and economic development
Protecting What We Love
The Outdoor Fellows Program is committed to passing down the values of hard work, conservation, and respect for the outdoors to the next generation.
Fellows learn the importance of responsible stewardship while helping preserve Alabama’s wildlife, lands, and outdoor traditions for future generations.
By understanding both the recreational and economic impact of our natural resources, students graduate prepared to make a positive difference in their communities and throughout the outdoor industry.
Join the Outdoor Fellows Program
Become part of a community dedicated to preserving outdoor traditions, developing future leaders, and creating opportunities for students who share a passion for the outdoors.