PEC Fellowship Program

The Piedmont Environmental Council invites you to apply to our Fellowship Program. The Fellowship Program is a six week program offering students a fully immersive, hands-on experience in PEC’s nationally recognized, highly successful regional movement for land conservation and land use planning.

While interest in environmental stewardship or growth and community planning is advised and will enhance the Fellow’s experience, we welcome applicants from a variety of academic fields. PEC recognizes that our mission of building better communities is best achieved through collaborative community action. Our partnerships with local allies concerned about public health, affordable housing, economic development, historic resources, agricultural production, efficient transportation, and environmental stewardship provide Fellows with a multi-dimensional framework for community action.
The Fellowship Program is designed to provide Fellows with comprehensive exposure to all aspects of PEC’s work throughout the Piedmont region, state and nation.
Academic Activities:

The first four weeks of the program are focused on Academic Activities including orientation, classroom training, guest lectures, assigned readings and group discussion, participation in PEC staff meetings, “A Day in the Life of…” visit with PEC staff, staff/Fellow mentorships, and field trips.

Individual Practicum:
The last two weeks of the program are focused on an Individual Practicum designed by each Fellow to meet their expressed skills and interests while advancing the work of PEC and related organizations.
PEC is pleased to provide accepted 2008 Fellows assistance with the following:
• Local housing
• Classroom facilities
• Activities and special project expenses
• Small living stipend

To participate in PEC’s innovative Fellowship Program, please complete the application ( pdf file) and submit it to:

PEC Fellowship Program
Attn: Katie Straight
96 Main Street
Warrenton, Va 20186

Read what some of 2007’s Fellows had to say about their experience with PEC:

"The [PEC] Fellowship offered me the opportunity to participate in a conservation based, environmentally focused six week program that looked at important environmental, political, and economic issues from a different angle. I came away from the Fellowship Program with a new point of view on many of these issues, and a new found appreciation of what I can do as an individual to affect the world as a whole." --Tommy Burk, George Mason University

“PEC's effectiveness on a local scale is inspiring... As I consider post-graduation career opportunities, I know that working for a local land trust or environmental non-profit like PEC would be both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling.”
--Michelle Aldgridge, University of Michigan