Muter outdoor fund
engaging new audiences with Michigan's
rich outdoor heritage
Meet Our 2024 Scholarship recipients
Maximina Bohl ~ OTSEGO, MICHIGAN
Western Michigan University | Elementary Education
Mina just started her senior year at Western Michigan University (WMU) majoring in elementary education. She is an active member of the WMU Geology Club, and this will be her second year serving as the club’s secretary. Mina helped start the club’s new Educational Outreach Committee which introduces K-12 children to the fascinating geology and landscapes of Michigan. Whether traveling to local schools or hosting students on campus, Mina loves to see the place we call home from many different points of view. After graduation, Mina is determined to become a teacher who encourages her students to explore the outdoors, wonder about the world, and use their skills to help take care of our environment for future generations to enjoy.
Tanner Hatch ~ ALPENA, MICHIGAN
Ferris State University | Product Design Engineering Technology
Tanner is a senior at Ferris State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Product Design Engineering Technology. Growing up in Northeast Michigan, Tanner enjoys hunting whitetails, fishing for trout, and looking for antler sheds. If he isn’t home or at school, he can be found in the woods. Tanner likes to document his outdoor adventures on his successful Instagram page Outdoorsman Paradise. With more than 2,500 followers, Tanner hopes to grow this audience to help encourage people of all ages to experience the outdoors. After graduation, Tanner plans to work for an outdoor brand designing the newest and best outdoor equipment on the market. He also hopes to create a new outdoor recreation center where people can learn and experience outdoor activities ranging from archery to fly fishing.
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Rebecca Lane ~ TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
Northern Michigan University | Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Becky is a senior at Northern Michigan University majoring in environmental studies and sustainability and minoring in wildlife conservation law and policing. Outside of class, Becky pole vaults for the Women's Track and Field Team, serves as co-leader for the NMU Hoop House (a gardening club), co-vice president for the GTU International Geographical Honor Society, and as an active member of the NMU Conservation Crew. Becky has recently worked for SEEDS, an environmental nonprofit organization, dedicated to support ecology and environmental education. She also works for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a wildland firefighter. Becky’s career goals include working for the U.S. Forest Service to pursue wildland firefighting or working to remove invasive species.
Amber Proudfoot ~ BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN
Michigan State University | Fisheries & Wildlife
Amber is a senior at Michigan State University majoring in fisheries and wildlife with concentrations in wildlife biology and wildlife disease ecology. She is passionate about raising awareness for amphibian and reptile conservation and is involved in several related projects. As the lead undergraduate for a herpetofauna monitoring program, Amber introduces new audiences to the amphibians and reptiles of Michigan. She also facilitates research experiences for fellow undergraduate students and works to make her own research accessible to public audiences. Over the summer Amber worked as a field technician at MSU’s vector-borne disease lab assisting in tick and Lyme disease research. Amber plans to attend graduate school to continue pursuing wildlife conservation research.
Katie Steinhaus ~ MERRILL, MICHIGAN
Saginaw Valley State University | Environmental Science
Katie will be entering her third year at Saginaw Valley State University majoring in environmental science and minoring in geospatial techniques. Katie has been hunting, fishing, and camping with her family and friends since she was a toddler. She recently served as a trip leader for SVSU Outdoor Adventures leading groups of her peers on their first backcountry hiking and white water rafting experiences. During the summer she worked for Chippewa Nature Center leading backpacking trips all over Michigan with middle and high school students. Katie also holds a water quality research position at the Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute gathering critical data for the environmental initiatives in the Saginaw Bay Watershed. After finishing her undergraduate studies, Katie hopes to enter the environmental science work field and attend graduate school after gaining more experience in the field.