Projects and Scholarships to be Supported by the Fund
Sandy Cochran's vision for forestry was both wide and deep. It included the entire forestry community. He wanted people to work safely, to apply best management practices in the woods, to cultivate the most promising markets for forest products, to learn the most recent research results and technologies, and to work in a policy environment created by informed political leaders. He wanted the best and brightest youth to study for forestry and related careers. His friends and colleagues created this fund to further all those ends.

The Sandy Cochran Fund Committee will give the highest priority to projects directly affecting the Northern Allegheny Region, a 17-county area of northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York (see below for a list of counties). Similarly, scholarship applicants must be from within the area. 

An applicant might seek funding to provide safety training to a group of loggers or sawmillers. Another might seek a scholarship to a two- or four-year forestry, resource management or environmental science program. Another might seek funding for a tour for decision-makers interested in forest policy, or to develop a training video or slide tape, or to produce a publication.

Each application must show the connection between the proposed project and Sandy Cochran's vision, as described here and interpreted by the members of the Sandy Cochran Memorial Fund Committee. Applicants must also provide a clear budget and indicate other sources of support. They must demonstrate the timeliness and uniqueness of their project.

We accept applications throughout the year. The forms indicate what kind of supporting documentation - letters of support or recommendation, for example - are required for projects and scholarships. Funding available annually depends on markets, and the Committee reserves the right to defer funding until another year when available funds are low or if no applications meet the fund criteria. All scholarship applications are reviewed in April and project applications are reviewed in July. In years when awards are made, applicants should receive funding approximately 30 days after notification.

The Northern Allegheny Region includes Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango and Warren counties in Pennsylvania and Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties in New York..