Eligibility and Application

Eligibility Requirements

The program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in environmental stewardship, land conservation, historic preservation, community planning, agriculture, and other related fields. Applicants in the past have represented a variety of courses of study, including environmental science, environmental policy, government, economics, human & environmental relations, history, religion, anthropology, sociology, geography, urban planning, international studies, American studies, and many more.

Applicants that are currently enrolled in school should have completed at least two years of undergraduate work by the start of the program. Those that have recently completed an undergraduate or graduate degree are also eligible. Only US citizens or those on a path to citizenship are eligible.

Applicants that are accepted to the program are required to participate in all aspects of it, and should not make any other professional or personal commitments during the program that would prohibit full participation.

Application Requirements

There are a number of items you will need to complete the application – so please allow yourself adequate time to prepare all of the required information. Ideally you will have everything ready when you begin the online application, however, our online system will allow you to begin the process and come back to it later if necessary.

All application materials must be submitted by the end of the day on March 1 for full consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Aside from your personal contact and academic information here are some of the things you’ll need to complete the application. For the essays, you might find it easier to write them in advance, and then cut & paste them into the form.

• Your resume and cover letter (a word or pdf document that you will upload)
• 3 References (at least one academic, one professional, and a third that can be academic, professional, or other). Please provide a mailing address, phone number, and email address for each reference.
• Responses to the 3 questions below, in 150 words or less (which you will type/paste directly into the form):

1. What do you hope to achieve in fulfilling a fellowship at the Piedmont Environmental Council? 
2. What qualifications/experiences or attributes do you feel make you uniquely suited for the Fellowship Program? 
3. Imagine yourself ten years from today: Where do you work and what is your position? Where do you live and what are you involved with? What experiences have you had?

• Essay. Please choose one of the following quotes and write a 500 word reflection addressing the sentiment of the quote as applied to environmental stewardship and community action at a local and national level. Elaborate upon the meaning of the quote as it relates to the mission of the Piedmont Environmental Council.

"In the world of child development, attachment theory posits that the creation of a deep bond between child and parent is a complex psychological, biological, and spiritual process, and that without this attachment a child is lost, vulnerable to all manner of later pathologies. I believe that a similar process can bind adults to a place and give them a sense of belonging and meaning. Without a deep attachment to place, an adult can also feel lost."
-Richard Louv

“The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: "What good is it?" If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.” -Aldo Leopold

“This is the most beautiful place on earth. There are many such places. Every man, every woman, carries in heart and mind the image of the ideal place, the right place, the one true home, known or unknown, actual or visionary.” -Edward Abbey
 

*If you have questions about the Fellowship, please be sure to review all of the information about the program on our website. If you did not find what you are looking for, please contact Andrew Washburn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 540-308-0602.