Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

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Front Royal, VA
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Transformative programs in conservation based at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute All courses take place as intensive one or two-week sessions.

The Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) offers a range of compelling residential, hands-on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary programs in conservation biology for undergraduate and graduate students and professionals from around the world. Current programming includes the residential undergraduate semester programs and graduate and professional courses and certificate programs.

New offerings are always being planned as the School of Conservation works to address the changing threats to and opportunities for conserving biodiversity, the interests of students, and requirements of employers.

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Undergraduate programs:
The SMSC is proud to offer two 16-credit programs for undergraduates committed to the study of conservation:

- Applied Conservation Strategies
- Ecology for Effective Conservation Practices

Each semester-long program offers five integrated courses that include a practicum work experience with researchers at the SCBI, as well as classes focusing on conservation theory and applications. More information about the programs can be found at:

http://smconservation.gmu.edu

Email: [email protected]

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Graduate and Professional programs:
Graduate students and professionals in conservation-related fields can gain training in the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to address today’s most pressing conservation challenges in courses offered through the SMSC. Participants are in residence at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, VA. For more information about course offerings visit:

http://smconservation.gmu.edu

Email: [email protected]

09/08/2026

🎓 Planning to spend the spring with us? Financial support is available to help make your SMSC experience possible. Scholarship applications open September 15!🌿

One week from today, all program applicants can apply for our two undergraduate scholarships:

🌱 G.T. Halpin Family Endowment Scholarship
A competitive, merit-based scholarship open to all spring participants. Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and meet additional eligibility requirements.

🌎 James W. Hazel Scholarship
Offers both merit- and need-based scholarships for semester-away participants. GPA requirements vary depending on the type of award.

Both scholarships require students to be accepted into the spring, and submit essay responses and a resume. Mark your calendars for 9/15!

09/02/2026

What does a career studying caterpillars look like? For SMSC double alum Tijona, it means nighttime fieldwork, UV lights, and some seriously fascinating science. 🌙🔦

Tijona is currently working as a Field Research Technician with the Illinois Natural History Survey / Prairie Research Institute, conducting nighttime caterpillar UV surveys and habitat surveys to better understand caterpillar abundance and the effects of pesticides on caterpillar, tree, and avian communities.

And why the UV lights? Many caterpillar species are biofluorescent, making them easier to find and study during nighttime surveys. ✨🐛

Tijona says the background knowledge she gained through her research placements—particularly her experience with insect sorting and analysis—along with her time in both Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and Endangered Species Conservation, helped prepare her greatly for this position.

We’re so thrilled to see Tijona putting those skills to work in a rewarding career in field research and conservation. Congratulations on all the exciting work you’re doing!

09/01/2026

🎉 Applications are officially open for our spring undergraduate semester-away programs at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia! 🐾🌱

Current undergraduates and recent graduates from any college or university, in any major, are invited to apply. Whether you’re already pursuing a career in conservation or simply curious about where your interests could take you, this is your opportunity to learn by doing, live on-site, and get hands-on experience in the field.

Apply on our website via the Programs tab.

🌿 Two residential tracks. One incredible experience. Don’t just imagine where your future could take you. Start growing it. 🌱

08/31/2026

Friday took our fall undergrad cohort into the field for a “Sense of Place” hike at Compton Peak in Shenandoah National Park! 🌲🥾

Along the trail, students explored the landscape from both a natural and cultural perspective, and got an up-close look at one of Shenandoah’s coolest geologic features: columnar jointing. 🪨

Those striking, almost honeycomb-like columns formed as ancient lava cooled and contracted roughly 570 million years ago. The cooling rock fractured into polygonal patterns, often producing the distinctive hexagonal columns we see today. The landscape beneath our feet has a story that goes back hundreds of millions of years!

And the reward for the climb? A beautiful view from the top. ⛰️🌄

Follow along to see where this cohort’s adventures take them next!

08/27/2026

📣 Attention, all alumni of our undergraduate semester-away programs...

Nominations are officially open for the second annual PEACE Award, recognizing an undergraduate semester-away alum who embodies Passion, Engagement, and Achievement in Conservation and Ecology.

Know an alum who is doing incredible work in conservation, research, leadership, advocacy, education, stewardship, or beyond? Maybe someone just popped into your head…

Or maybe that someone is you. 😉

📬 Check your inbox, alumni! We sent the nomination form exclusively to our alumni listserv.

🗓️ Nominations are due November 1, 2026.

08/26/2026

🌿 Interested in gaining hands-on research experience with leading conservation scientists?

Stay tuned this fall for details about the 2027 U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program at SMSC!

This 10-week experience will give 10 undergrads from around the US the opportunity to work alongside world-class scientists and researchers, including experts at the Smithsonian and George Mason University | GMU, while gaining valuable experience that can help prepare you for graduate school, careers in conservation, and beyond.

We’ll be sharing 2027 program dates, application requirements, and the list of research projects later this fall.

📣 If you’re considering applying, now is a great time to start thinking ahead!

08/25/2026

What if your next semester put you in the field, working alongside conservation experts and gaining hands-on experience in wildlife conservation and science?

Our undergraduate students spend an entire semester immersed in field-based learning at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, learning from experts and building the skills to pursue their own impactful conservation futures.

Spring 2027 applications open in ONE WEEK. 👀

This could be your future!

08/24/2026

Yesterday, we welcomed our newest semester-away cohort to SMSC! 🌿🎉

This fall, 26 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students are joining us from a record eight colleges and universities:

▫️George Mason University | GMU
▫️Eastern Michigan University
▫️Randolph College
▫️SCAD
▫️Bridgewater College
▫️Northern Virginia Community College | NOVA
▫️St. Mary's College of Maryland
▫️University of Virginia

We’re excited to bring together students from across the region and beyond who share a passion for conservation, science, and the environment. Here’s to a great semester of learning, discovery, and community! 🦋🌎

A special thank-you to our Resident Advisors, pictured, who helped make move-in a success and will be providing support and guidance to our students throughout the semester. 💚

Welcome to the SMSC community, Fall 2026 cohort!

08/23/2026

✏️ Natural History Illustration: Nature in Pencil

Sometimes, all you need is a pencil.

These five works show another side of our Natural History Illustration students’ work: careful observation through line, shading, texture, and detail. From an insect’s face to a delicate flower, a leaf, each drawing asks the artist to slow down and really look.

We love seeing how these young artists can turn close observation of the natural world into thoughtful, detailed artwork. 🌿

08/22/2026

🐸 Natural History Illustration: Reptiles & Amphibians

Scales, patterns, textures, and some seriously cool creatures! 🐍🦎🐸

In these six works, our summer Natural History Illustration students focused on observing and capturing the distinctive forms and details of reptiles and amphibians. Each illustration shows a different artistic perspective on the natural world and the incredible attention to detail our students developed throughout the course.

Take a look through the collection and celebrate these young artists with us! 💚

Address

1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA
22630

Telephone

+15406350115

Website

http://smconservation.gmu.edu/

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