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By Sue Telfeian
The Davis United World College Scholars program has provided scholarships at U.S. colleges and universities to hundreds of exceptional students from around the world. The program encourages experiential learning, and several of its scholars have participated in a special conservation internship at The Nature Conservancy. We recently spoke with Shelby Davis, the program’s founder, to learn more about this exciting partnership.
nature.org: Describe the evolution of your philanthropic life and how you came to a focus on the Davis UWC Scholars program.
Davis: I grew up in an internationally-minded family. Both of my parents traveled after college, then obtained Master’s degrees and stayed at the International House at Columbia University. They then went on to Geneva and earned their Ph.D.s. Later in his career, my father became the Ambassador to Switzerland. So when I started my philanthropic work, I wanted to do something that would bring the world together and help young people cross borders – not only physically, but in their thinking as well.
nature.org: You have an investment management background. Do you look at philanthropy as a form of investment?
Davis: I do. In my career, I’ve found excellent people who have helped their companies grow. Similarly, by investing in people here, I am hoping that they will have the desire to make the world better. You plant seeds and hope for growth.
nature.org: What advice would you give to beginning philanthropists searching for the cause that is right for them?
Davis: I have always tried to focus on one or two causes rather than spread my bets all over the place. So I would give this advice: Try to find a vision of what you are comfortable doing, and then focus on making that vision reality. Then, hold yourself accountable in your philanthropy by measuring your impact. Scattering your work all over the map can dilute your efforts. If you carefully focus your effort, you can have a bigger impact.
nature.org: Are there specific ecological ideals that the Davis UWC Scholars program espouses?
Davis: Absolutely. Nearly all of the schools that the students attend have the goal of a sustainable future and a sustainable environment as part of their mission statements. This is a definite focus among young people who are idealistic. They want to help the environment; they are the early birds when it comes to going green.
nature.org: Where do you see alignment between the missions of our two organizations? Is it that the Conservancy simply offers interns the experiential learning opportunities your program seeks? Or are there other complementary goals at play as well?
Davis: I think there is a complementary relationship in the sense that a high percentage of Davis scholars are going to want to go back to their own countries eventually and make a difference there. One place where they know they want to make a difference in is the environment. They want to make a difference in business, government and science as well. But the environment is one of the key pillars. And a certain percentage of them would love to have the opportunity to work for the Conservancy.
nature.org: It seems that the Conservancy and the Davis UWC Scholars program also share a decidedly global perspective. The Conservancy’s mission has evolved based on an understanding that the world is a network of interdependent ecosystems, which means that true conservation success can only happen through global strategy and action. The Davis UWC Scholars program addresses the socio-political uncertainty of the modern world by supporting international understanding among people of all nationalities.
Davis: Clearly, we all live in a big world without borders – especially when it comes to the environment. And these students feel that this is the kind of world they want to live in, generally. That is why our mission is to promote peace and understanding across borders. That is also why we try to prevent conflict. Preventing conflicts in a borderless world is what this work is all about.
nature.org: Where would you like to see the program go with the Conservancy?
Davis: This is a pilot program, and I am hoping it will grow. And if the Conservancy can find people who want to support it, we can certainly provide a network of kids who are eager to get involved. There are more of them who would love the chance to participate. It is a great opportunity for our students; it enriches them, and it places them in a position where they can become life-long environmentalists – and potential leaders.
Sue Telfeian is a Nature Conservancy associate director of philanthropy based in Brunswick, Maine.
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Bill Hopwood (Canoeing in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area); Photo © TNC (Shelby Davis).
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