Rookery Bay Establishes Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship

Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Naples is offering a paid avian internship from January through April 2024 thanks to the new Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund established with a $160,000 estate gift from a longtime Rookery Bay volunteer.

The intern will work approximately 20 hours/week assisting biologists with boat-based shorebird/seabird surveys, wading bird nesting and roosting surveys, and songbird banding during migration. Compensation is $400/week plus complimentary shared dormitory accommodations. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Learn more and apply at rookerybay.org/careers.

Friends of Rookery Bay established the Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Collier Community Foundation thanks to the legacy donation. A retired teacher, Miller volunteered with Rookery Bay Research Reserve for more than 10 years, helping with on-the-water research and community education programs as well as assisting interns with sea turtle monitoring. She passed away in April. An annual scholarship of $5,000 to $8,000 will be awarded to fund interns, who will summarize their experiences in a letter to Miller’s family.

“My sister, Susan A. Miller, was a dedicated volunteer for Rookery Bay, following in the footsteps of our mother Marian L. Miller,” said Jeff Miller. “They were both staunch supporters of the programs to protect the creatures and habitat of Rookery Bay. Susan’s family is pleased to continue her legacy through this gift.”

The Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship is a designated Friends of Rookery Bay fund managed by the Collier Community Foundation. Any individual, business or foundation may make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund by visiting cfcollier.org or by mailing a check made payable to “Friends of Rookery Bay Sue Miller Memorial Scholarship” to: 300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113. For more information, call 239-530-5972.