Each summer, twelve students are selected to spend seven weeks in the Virginia Piedmont, studying with seasoned professionals in land conservation, land use planning, sustainable agriculture, habitat restoration and more.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders
Are you an undergraduate or recent graduate interested in learning more about a career in environmental conservation? If so, you should consider applying for the 16th annual Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) Fellowship program! Twelve students will be selected for this unique opportunity to spend seven weeks learning from and working with seasoned professionals in land conservation, land use planning, agriculture, habitat and more.
The PEC Fellowship is much more than an internship. For the first five weeks, the program combines classroom discussions, field trips, and hands-on activities to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the work that PEC does. For the last few weeks, the fellows work on a collaborative practicum, focused on their interests as well as a particular aspect of PEC’s work in the Piedmont.
Through this personalized experience, participants gain the practical knowledge and skills necessary to successfully transition into careers in conservation, urban planning, agriculture, historic preservation, public policy, and other related fields. PEC covers all program-related expenses and provides a stipend to cover living expenses.
Eligibility and Online Application
What’s Provided
Classroom facilities: Meetings will take place via Google Hangouts or Zoom.
Stipend: For each of the seven weeks, fellows receive a stipend to help with meals and expenses. Stipend amount is $200 per week.
Subjects Covered
- Land Conservation
- Wildlife Management
- Historic Preservation
- Land Use Planning
- Transportation
- Water & Air Quality
- Energy Conservation & Policy
- Agriculture & Best Management Practices
- Working with State & Local Government
- Communications and Development
- Resume-Building and Job Search Tips
Eligibility and Application
The program is designed for undergraduate students and recent grads interested in careers in environmental stewardship, land conservation, historic preservation, community planning, agriculture, and other related fields.
Alumni Experiences
Find out what former fellows thought of the program. Hear what Fellowship Alumni had to say in their own words.
Academic Portion
The academic portion of the fellowship includes a combination of classroom sessions, hands-on activities, and field trips. Most classroom discussions take place in Fellows Hall at PEC’s Headquarters Office in Warrenton.
Practicum
For the final three weeks of the program, the fellows focus on a collaborative practicum, designed to meet their expressed skills and interests. Each pair of Fellows is mentored by a PEC staff person or a professional from one of PEC’s many partner organizations. At the end of the final week, the fellows present their work to PEC’s staff and board of directors.
A Few Highlights from 2020
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Welcome 2020 Fellows!
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Eligibility and Application
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Alumni Experiences
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Happy Anniversary PEC Fellowship!
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Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders in Environmental Conservation
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Looking Ahead
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Academic Sessions (weeks 1-5)
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Practicum (weeks 5-7)
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Changing Perspectives: My time as a PEC Fellow
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Fellowship Program – Five Years In
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