Whidbey Audubon Society awarded scholarships to graduating students from each Whidbey Island high school.

The society was organized for educational and scientific purposes, including promoting the study, conservation and restoration of birds, other wildlife and their habitats.

One way in which Whidbey Audubon Society pursues this goal is by offering scholarships to students who plan to pursue a career in conservation. The scholarships are made possible by generous individual donations and community support of fund-raising events.

The 2012 awardees are: South Whidbey: Harrison Price, $1,500; Coupeville: Nolan Exe, $1,000; Oak Harbor: Maura McKole, $500.

McKole has been accepted to Western Washington University, where she plans to study environmental journalism at Huxley College. As president of the high school’s Ecology Club, she worked on recycling in the school and coordinated activities with other environmental groups.

During the last three years, she has participated in Swan Lake Watershed Preservation Group work parties. McKole plans to pursue a career in journalism to educate and motivate others to conserve and protect the environment.

Exe has been accepted to Western Washington University, where he plans to study environmental science at Huxley College. During the last year, Exe volunteered at Pacific Rim Institute, which is restoring and researching central Whidbey Island’s rare lowland prairie ecosystem.

Exe collected and cleaned native plant seeds, planted seeds for propagation, and controlled invasive exotic plant species. He hopes to pursue a career in prairie restoration.