The late Elizabeth (Diz) Barnes Callender and her sister Mary Frances Barnes were Essex residents deeply committed to land conservation and preservation. To honor their memory, a $3000 scholarship will be awarded to a Valley Regional High School graduating senior or graduate, or an Essex resident who is in good standing and pursuing studies related to land conservation and preservation at a two or four year college, a technical school or a graduate school, or taking accredited courses. Fields of study may include biology, botany, agronomy, ecology, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, landscape design, and environmental science.

Applicants must complete and submit a scholarship application form along with a copy of their high school or college transcript and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or adult with whom they have either worked or volunteered. An interview may or may not be required.