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Lorelai Bland, senior in environmental science in the Auburn University College of Agriculture, recently received a national scholarship recognizing her scholastic achievements, career goals, field experience, and commitment to soil and water conservation. 

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship provides a $3,500 award for a college junior, senior or master's degree student studying in the field. 

“It means a lot to me to receive this award,” Bland said. “It reaffirms my abilities and passion for environmental conservation and motivates me to continue pursuing environmental and soil science.” 

Bland, who is set to graduate in spring 2027 and plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental science or geosciences, has been actively involved in the College of Agriculture the last four years. She has worked since January 2025 in the Auburn Paleoenvironmental Laboratory as an undergraduate research assistant and since November 2025 in the Soil, Forage and Water Testing Laboratory as a student technician. She earned an Undergraduate Research Fellowship this fall, and her project for the fellowship examines wetland hydric soils and their biogeochemical characteristics.  

This summer, she was an environmental scientist-intern for Nichols Environmental Consulting, LLC, and this fall, she is a teaching assistant for the Basic Soils Laboratory. She has been a member of the Crop, Soils & Environmental Sciences Club since 2023 and a member of the Auburn Soil Judging Team since fall 2025.  

“Participating in Soil Judging has been incredibly formative and has greatly impacted my career aspirations,” she said. “Also, I participated in the Environmental Science Study Abroad to Merida, Mexico, and that was a very fond experience through Auburn. Getting to learn about ancient aquatic sediments with my friends and peers on that trip was so much fun.” 

The trip was led by Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences Matt Waters, who also works with Bland in his lab and her degree program, of which he is director. Waters describes Bland as a leader "who gathers others together and causes discussion and engagement by the people around her.” In his lab, she has been a staple in sample processing on their most challenging methods.  

"On my study abroad trip to Mexico, she continuously involved other students and aided other students having a successful trip,” he said. “She is a brilliant leader who is kind and considerate of others. She impacts people around her as well as maintains a focus and elegance on the details of science.”