Georgia Southern University® Names Fourth Annual Yamaha Rightwaters™ Conservation Scholarship Recipient

Evan Wahmhoff Pursuing Master’s Degree in Biology

STATESBORO, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evan Wahmhoff is the recipient of Georgia Southern University’s fourth annual Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship. Supported by an ongoing endowment from Yamaha Rightwaters, the scholarship awards $5K annually to a student who exhibits outstanding efforts and commitment to improve coastal sustainability. Wahmhoff is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biology through Georgia Southern’s College of Science and Mathematics.

“Evan’s research reflects the kind of science-driven conservation work Yamaha Rightwaters aims to encourage through this scholarship,” said Joshua Grier, sustainability program manager, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “By studying crayfish diversity and freshwater ecosystems in the Altamaha River Basin, his research contributes to a deeper understanding of biodiversity in the southeastern United States and helps inform future conservation efforts. Healthy freshwater ecosystems play a critical role in overall environmental health, and supporting students like Evan helps advance the scientific knowledge needed to protect them for future generations.”

Wahmhoff earned a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife with a Concentration in Conservation Biology and a minor in Science, Technology, Environment and Public Policy from Michigan State University®. His work at Georgia Southern University focuses on crayfish diversity and freshwater ecosystems in the coastal plains of the southeastern United States. Building on earlier work studying sea lamprey pheromone behavior in the Great Lakes and invasive crayfish species in Michigan, his current thesis examines the drivers of crayfish community composition in Georgia’s Altamaha River Basin. The research contributes to a broader reassessment of crayfish diversity across the region, helping resolve key taxonomic uncertainties and expand scientific understanding of crayfish biology and freshwater ecosystems.

“Receiving the Yamaha Rightwaters Scholarship is incredibly meaningful because it supports research I’m deeply passionate about,” said Evan Wahmhoff. “My work focuses on understanding crayfish diversity and the environmental factors shaping freshwater ecosystems in Georgia’s coastal plains. I hope the findings help clarify important ecological and taxonomic questions while contributing to broader conservation efforts across the region.”

Georgia Southern University will open applications for the 2027/2028 Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship in the spring of 2027. Interested candidates may apply within their http://my.georgiasouthern.edu/ portal.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

Yamaha Rightwaters is a national sustainability program that encompasses all of Yamaha Marine’s conservation and water quality efforts. Program initiatives include habitat restoration, support for scientific research, mitigation of invasive species, the reduction of marine debris and environmental stewardship education. Yamaha Rightwaters reinforces Yamaha’s long-standing history of natural resource conservation, support of sustainable recreational fishing and water resources and Angler Code of Ethics, which requires pro anglers to adhere to principles of stewardship for all marine resources.

Yamaha’s U.S. Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., is responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Yamaha Marine products in the U.S. including Yamaha Outboards, Yamaha WaveRunners^®, Yamaha Boats, G3^® Boats and Skeeter^® Boats. Supporting 2,400 dealers and boat builders nationwide, Yamaha is the industry leader in reliability, performance, technology and customer service.

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