To mark the Scholarship Fund's anniversary, the Fund has designed a special "Thank You" gift for donors. Anyone making a donation of $5 or more to the Fund will receive a colorful lapel pin depicting the "Gadsden Flag." As anyone who entered Ralph's office can tell you, a framed version of the the famous Revolutionary War era flag was mounted on the wall directly behind Ralph's desk. Ralph liked the flag because it depicted a rattlesnake, one of the animals under the jurisdiction of the Fish Commission, and because of its message: "Don't Tread On Me."

Gifts to the scholarship fund may be made by check payable to the "Ralph W. Abele Conservation Scholarship Fund" and sent to:

RWA Scholarship Fund
c/o PA Fish and Boat Commission
PO Box 67000
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000

The Ralph W. Abele Conservation Scholarship Fund awarded its first scholarship in 1991. Each year the fund will award between $1,000 and $2,000. These awards will assist a worthy young man or woman in pursuing their education at approved institutions of higher learning in one of the environmental disciplines, such as fisheries, forestry, ecology, wildlife management or environmental resource management.

Guidelines for the Scholarship Fund are listed on the Application for Scholarship Award.

Scholarship selection is based on an applicant's academic potential, his or her interest in conservation education, and his or her demonstrated commitment to conservation. The decision of the Scholarship Committee is final and binding.

The Scholarship Fund is an IRS-recognized organization to which tax deductible donations may be made. The RWA Scholarship is a private, nonprofit organization;  its Board of Directors consists exclusively of unpaid volunteers. The Fund is not officially related to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.