The Sidney S. Williston Memorial Fund supports all of WCG’s emerging professionals by providing activities such as lab tours, social events, and virtual learning workshops. In addition, the Guild awards up to five recipients in the DMV area with free WCG professional organization membership and reduced registration fees for WCG sponsored workshops and events.
Recipients are asked to present their conservation work at the Emerging Professionals meeting in the spring and they get the opportunity to publish on the WCG website by writing meeting summaries. These are great opportunities for emerging conservators to network with area professionals and learn more about our field.
Who is eligible?
Williston Fund applications are open to all emerging conservation professionals in the DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area including students, recent graduates, volunteers, interns, and fellows. Virtual interns and fellows are also encouraged to apply.
The American Institute of Conservation defines emerging conservation professionals (ECPs) as “those entering or thinking about entering the field of conservation [and includes] the transition from pre-program candidacy to graduate school and through to early career stages.”
When to Apply
Applications are usually due in September for the WCG season that follows the academic year from July to June. Recipients will be announced at the October or November meeting.
How to Apply
Application details will be posted online and emailed to members towards the beginning of the WCG season. In addition to applying online, the following information can be sent to the Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) at EPC@washingtonconservationguild.org:
- Name and email address of applicant
- Position and institution of applicant (if applicable) or local address (if unaffiliated with a local institution)
- Brief description (250 words max) of applicant’s qualifications plus their conservation interests or volunteer/intern/fellow project
- Brief description (250 words max) of how the applicant will benefit from the Williston Fund or why the applicant is applying
Past recipients and awards
Read about our past Williston Memorial Fund recipients and events!
Sidney S. Williston
Many WCG members knew Mr. Williston during his forty years in the DC area as a private conservator. His studio, Mario’s Conservation Services, provided training for dozens of conservators, many of whom head their own labs today around the country. He was a Fellow in the American Institute for Conservation and was an honorary member of the WCG. He has been greatly missed since his death in 2000. The Williston Fund was created to recognize his contributions to the Washington area conservation community and to the Guild in particular.
Donate to support the Fund
In order to continue this benefit for local emerging professionals, interns, and fellows, the Williston Fund accepts donations on an ongoing basis. Please donate by clicking the “Donate” button below or by mailing a check payable to Washington Conservation Guild to the WCG postal address (found on our Contact page), noting “Williston Fund” on the check. Thank you for your support.
