Helen Bailey, a Clemson University Honors student and environmental and natural resources major from Mechanicsville, Maryland, has been named one of 55 Udall Scholars nationwide for 2025. Recognized as a future leader in environmental conservation, Bailey will receive $7,000 for academic expenses and attend a scholarship orientation in August to collaborate with other scholars and alumni on a case study. Her achievement highlights her dedication to conservation and advocacy for ethical hunting.
Raised on a Christmas tree farm in Mechanicsville, a rural community in St. Mary’s County known for agriculture, Bailey grew up immersed in outdoor traditions. Her father, an officer with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, taught her to hunt, fish, and crab from a young age. She completed her first hunter’s safety course at age eight and participated in events with groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Ducks Unlimited, and the Knights of Columbus. “As I got older, I saw how few women were involved in ethical hunting and fishing and that I was often the only woman at an event,” Bailey said. “I took that as an opportunity to spread awareness of my favorite traditions and encourage others to get involved.”
Bailey’s passion for conservation took root in high school, where she testified before the Maryland Senate to support a bill allowing Sunday hunting for waterfowl and game birds in St. Mary’s County on private and select public lands. At Clemson, she founded the university’s chapter of the Collegiate Sportsmen and Women Coalition of the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, now one of the largest and most active in the U.S. She also leads South Carolina’s only student-led, collegiate chapter of the NWTF. In 2023, she earned the NWTF’s Doctor James Earl Kennamer Scholarship, a $10,000 national award for her academic excellence, community involvement, and leadership.
“Helen is a tenacious and resilient student who is already being invited into conservation circles at the national level,” said Sarah Curtis, a Clemson faculty member. “Change agents like Helen, who can make progress on protecting wildlife and natural resources by reframing traditional pursuits and approaches, are desperately needed.” Bailey’s Honors research, guided by Professor David Willis, focuses on water scarcity in South Carolina. “Helen is an outstanding student and strong believer in the efficient and sustainable management of our increasingly valuable natural resources,” Willis said. “She is a very worthy recipient of the Udall Scholarship.”
Beyond academics, Bailey has interned with South Carolina Representative Jeff Duncan and the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney, served as assistant general manager for the Southern Maryland Senators in the Cal Ripken League, and played on Clemson’s club softball team. Her leadership extends to student organizations raising funds for conservation research, where she identified a need for policy-focused groups to engage broader audiences.
Bailey plans to attend law school after graduation, aiming for a career as a federal public service attorney specializing in environmental conservation. “Throughout my career, I want to address the lack of understanding that ethical hunting is vital to the success of conservation efforts,” she said. “I hope to contribute to initiatives educating and promoting the practice of ethical hunting in conservation and its effects on all citizens and the environment.”
Clemson’s Honors College celebrated Bailey’s accomplishment. “We’re excited for Helen’s achievement and proud of her work to drive transformational change in the field of environmental conservation. Her success serves as a powerful example of the impact our students can make when they apply their passion, knowledge and research to real-world problems, with the support of a campus community that supports their growth and development,” said Sarah Winslow, inaugural dean of the Clemson University Honors College.
Bailey is Clemson’s fourth Udall Scholar, following Carson Colenbaugh (2021), Riley Garvey (2020), and William Rice (2015). The Udall Foundation honors students for leadership in environmental, Tribal public policy, or health care fields, making Bailey’s selection a testament to her potential. Her work bridges traditional outdoor practices with modern conservation strategies, positioning her to influence policy and public perception.
