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.
2020 Practicum Presentations
Meredith Hickman and David Malcolm
50 Years of Scenic River Protection in the Piedmont: A StoryMap
Mentors: Kat Imhoff, Hugh Kenny, John McCarthy, and Watsun Randolph
Clio Bate, Savannah Hall, and Colin Gates
Warrenton’s Vacant Land
Mentors: Dan Holmes, Julie Bolthouse, and Watsun Randolph
Ben Fernando and Rebecca Topness
Racial Inequity and Outdoor Spaces: A Case Study on PEC’s Conserved Lands
Mentors: Celia Vuocolo and Marco Sánchez
Wade Ebert and Isabel Lisle
Carbon Offset Practicum: A Dive into PEC’s Carbon Footprint
Mentors: Chris Miller and Chris Hawk
Gabriella Creeser and Trinity Mills
Planting Native: benefits and testimonies that will make you garden differently
Mentors: Gem Bingol, Celia Vuocolo, and Bri West
2019 Fellows Practicum Presentations
Carbon Sequestration in the Piedmont’s Grasslands
Fellows: Emily Dalton and Jake Nicastro
Mentor: Mike Kane
Collaborative Conservation in the Blue Ridge Region
Fellows: Kaitlin King and Nell Pearson
Mentor: Tracy Lind
Barriers to Solar Generation in Virginia: A Podcast
Fellows: Ariel Gans and Philip Pericak
Mentors: Dan Holmes and Bri West
Recognizing Unconventional Agricultural Practices in the Piedmont
Fellows: Katie Schmidtmann and Molly Cullen
Mentor: Tracy Lind
PEC Brings Back the Brook Trout
Fellows: Annabelle Stanley and Merissa Shebell
Mentors: Claire Catlett and Celia Vuocolo
Assessing the Impacts of Vehicle Crossings on Blue Ridge Trout Streams: Rappahannock & Madison, VA
Fellows: George Castillo and Ben Landolt
Mentor: Claire Catlett
2018 Fellows Practicum Presentations
Honoring Local Heritage: Uncovering Historic Sites in the Blue Ridge
Fellows: Chloe Harris and MacKenzie Earl
Mentor: Kristie Kendall
Watershed Warriors
Fellows: Evan Raskin and Celeste Wilson
Mentors: Julie Bolthouse and Claire Catlett
Make Some Noise About Noise Pollution
Fellows: Tess Kendrick and Libby Truitt
Mentor: Dan Holmes
Spaces Worth Saving, Areas for Affordability: The Intersection of the Conservation Movement and the Affordable Housing Crisis in the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia
Fellows: Isobel Lingenfelter and Megan Routbort
Mentor: Dan Holmes
Arachnids, Ailanthus and ArcGIS: Invasive Species Mapping at the Clifton Institute
Fellows: Ganon Hingst and Julia Stinson Ebert
Mentors: Dr. Bert Harris and Dr. Eleanor Harris
Podcast – Preservation Politics
Fellows: Zachary Harris and Daniel Kim
Mentor: Sean Tubbs
2017 Fellowship Practicum Topics
“Shadow of Shenandoah: A PEC Fellows Podcast”
- Fellows: Andrew Olive and Jacquelyn Smith
- Staff Mentor: Kristie Kendall
“Trout Monitoring Protocols for the Upper Rappahannock”
- Fellows: Dana Ek and Callee Manna
- Staff Mentors: Claire Catlett and Peter Hujik
“Historic and Non-Historic Property Values in Charlottesville and Albemarle”
- Fellows: Abigail Chan and Kate Moody
- Mentor: Jeff Werner
“Josh McGhee and Drake Starling”
- Fellows: Josh McGhee and Drake Starling
- Mentor: Julie Bolthouse and Dan Holmes
“Data Centers and Energy Consumption”
- Fellows: Emma Will and Shayne Willette
- Mentor: Rob Marmet
“Reviving Small Town U.S.A.”
- Fellows: Quyen Ha and Harrison Premen
- Mentors: Paula Combs and Dan Holmes
2016 Fellowship Practicum Topics
“An Assessment of the Pollinating Insect Population Gilbert’s Corner”
- Fellows: Mary Collins and Victor Lau
- Staff Mentor: Celia Vuocolo
“Enhancing Public Access to the Rapidan River”
- Fellows: Eliot Berz and Haley Wilbanks
- Staff Mentors: Peter Hujik and Dan Holmes
“Residential Solar in PEC’s Nine Counties: Emily and Liam’s Fantastic Adventure through County Government”
- Fellows: Liam McAuliff and Emily Onufer
- Staff Mentor: Bri West
“The Piedmont Environmental Council: An Oral History”
- Fellows: Amanda Bengston and Joel Carver
- Staff Mentor: Karen Hunsberger
“An Inventory of Historic Bridges In The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Service District”
- Fellows: Eric Teller and Anne Wilcosky
- Staff Mentor: Kristie Kendall
“Improving Transit Oriented Development: A Greener, More Connected Loudoun County”
- Fellows: Amanda Demmerle and Anne Weidhaas
- Staff Mentors: Stewart Schwartz and Gem Bingol
2015 Fellowship Practicum Topics
“Exploring Property Value Change in the Piedmont”
- Fellows: William DeCesare and Kori Goldberg
- Staff Mentor: Jeff Werner
“Restoring Brook Trout Habitat in the Piedmont”
- Fellows: Michael Carter and Nicholas Wells
- Staff Mentors: Carolyn Sedgwick, Watsun Randolph, and Jonathan Marquisee
“Millennials for the PEC: Securing the Future for the Piedmont Environmental Council through the Incorporation of the Millennial Generation”
- Fellows: Chantal Madray and Caitlin McCarthy
- Mentors: Maggi MacQuilliam, Marco Sanchez, Jess Palmer & Bri West
“Updating the Loudoun Outdoors Guide”
- Fellows: Silas Domy and Andrea Levy
- Mentor: Mike Kane
“Visualizing Stewardship–A Photographic Library of Good Land Management Practices”
- Fellows: Claudia Elzey and Kendall Grannis
- Mentors: Gem Bingol and Maggi MacQuilliam
“Morrison Ruins Preservation and Interpretive Plan–Restoration of Historic Ruins on Jim Northup’s Property (Superintendent of Shenandoah National Park) “
- Fellows: Rachel Earnhardt and Joseph Mutter
- Mentor: Kristie Kendall
2014 Fellowship Practicum Topics
“Farmer Chef Express Website-Developing Their Gleaning and Surplus Program.”
- Lauren Faccinto
San Anselmo, CA
Kenyon College: Sociology and Environmental Studies - Hannah Itzler
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
University of Florida: Sustainability and the Built Environment - Mentor: Jess Palmer
“Social Media Outreach Series and Fellowship Promotion”
- Chelsea Johnson
Avon, IN
Lawrence University: Environmental Studies (Policy Focus) - Susanna Kirschner
Richmond, VA
University of Mary Washington: Environmental Science - Mentor: Marco Sanchez
“Strengthening What We Already Protect: Updating Easements in the Cromwell’s Run and South Fork Rivanna Watersheds”
- Laurel Abowd
Glenmont, NY
University of Virginia: Environmental Sciences - Natalie Sheffield
Charlottesville, VA
College of William and Mary: Environmental Science and Policy, English - Mentors: Heather Richards and Maggi MacQuilliam
“Assessing Stream Water and Habitat Quality at Gilbert’s Corner”
- Michael Ament
DePere, WI
University of Michigan: Environmental Science and Anthropology - Preston White
Bealton, VA
James Madison University: Integrated Science and Technology - Mentors: Gem Bingol and Mike Kane
“A Green Infrastructure Schematic (Vision) for the Piedmont”
- Brian Stark Godfrey
Charlotte, NC
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Political Science and Geography (GIS) - Peter Klemz
Manassas, VA
Virginia Tech: Public and Urban Affairs - Mentors: Dan Holmes, Watsun Randolph, Jonathan Marquisee
“EPA Clean Power Plan as it Applies to Virginia”
- Alexa White
Riverhead, NY
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Environmental Science - Samuel Zacher
Columbus, OH
University of Chicago: Environmental Studies and Economics - Mentor: Rob Marmet
2013 Fellowship Practicum Topics
“A PORTFOLIO OF SMART GROWTH FEATURES: ILLUSTRATING POWERFUL LAND USE CONCEPTS”
Meredyth Sanders
Vienna, VA
University of Virginia: Urban & Environmental Planning, Minor in Environmental Science
Mentor: Katherine Vance
“A GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE NOMA”
Mathew Smead
Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Environmental Science, Minor in Geography
Mentor: Galin Brooks, NoMa BID
“THE FAUQUIER COUNTY OUTDOORS GUIDE”
Julia Bridstrup
Warrenton, VA
University of Virginia: Environmental Science, Minor in Anthropology
Mentor: Julie Bolthouse
“TRAIL MAPPING IN THE PEC REGION”
Henry Bell
Oak Grove, MN
Middlebury College: Joint Major in Geography & Environmental Studies, Minor in Spanish
Mentor: Watsun Randolph
“HIGH SCHOOL LESSON PLANS ON LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING”
Melissa Andrews
Carlisle, MA
University of Pennsylvania School of Design: Master of City Planning – Land Use & Environmental Planning Haverford College: Growth and Structure of Cities, Minor in East Asian Studies
Mentor: Leslie Ziegler, Highland School
“CONSERVATION STORIES OF VIRGINIA”
Caroline Massie
Rappahannock, VA
University of Virginia: English, American Studies, Minor in Media Studies
Mentor: Kristie Kendall
“THE OUTER BELTWAY: WE CAN HAVE IT ALL”
Terry Chen
Winchester, MA
University of California Los Angeles: Environmental Science, Minors in Geography & Environmental Studies
Mentor: Bri West
“THE CHARLOTTESVILLE WESTERN BYPASS: A CASE STUDY OF WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS”
Rachel Locke
Arlington, VA
University of Virginia: Environmental Thought & Practice, Leadership & Public Policy
Mentor: Diana Norris
“OUTREACH EFFORTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE SHENANDOAH RIVER”
Robert Stuart
Edinburg, VA
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Masters in Natural Resources Virginia Tech: Horticulture
Mentor: Shenandoah Riverkeepers, Jennifer Keck
“THE VIABILITY OF BIOFUELS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR FOSSIL FUELS”
Sarah Wheatley
Rappahannock, VA
Mount Holyoke College: Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Geoscience
Mentor: Sue Ellen Johnson and David Wheatley, Pilot
“AN INTIMATE LOOK AT FARMS AND FOOD: OUTREACH FOR PEC’S BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN”
Charlotte Rodina
Manassas, VA
University of Mary Washington: English
Mentor: Jessica Palmer
2012 Fellowship Practicum Topics
“FARMERS MARKETS AND OUTREACH TO LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS”
Louise Searle
Fredericksburg, VA
Randolph College: Environmental Studies, Minors in American Culture & Sociology
Practicum Mentor: Sue Ellen Johnson, PEC
“ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTALLY-RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES AT THE AIRLIE CONFERENCE CENTER”
Spencer Middleton
Stillwater, MN
Evergreen State College: Human Ecology
Practicum Mentor: Breanna Detwiler, Environmental Policy Coordinator and Assistant to the President, Airlie Conference Center
“OUTREACH TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT IN THE PIEDMONT”
Mindy Bridges
Denver, CO
University of Colorado Boulder: Anthropology & Ecology/Evolutionary Biology, Certificate in Peace & Conflict Studies
Practicum Mentor: Tom Wood, Director, Environmental Studies on the Piedmont
“THE LEGAL GUIDE TO FARMING”
Matthew P. Castelli
Egg Harbor, NJ
University of Richmond: Biology
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Practicum Mentors: Sue Ellen Johnson & Diana Norris, PEC
HISTORIC ASSESSMENT OF THE JAMES CITY PROPERTY IN MADISON COUNTY: MAKING THE CASE FOR PRESERVATION”
Jocelyn Friedman
Mount Kisco, NY
Carleton College: American History, Minor in European Studies
Practicum Mentors: Kristie Kendall & Beth Burnam, PEC
“ACCESS MANAGEMENT ALONG ROUTE 29: AN INTERSECTION-SCALE ANALYSIS”
Andrew Pericak
Charlottesville, VA
University of Richmond: Environmental Studies & Geography, Minor in Music
Practicum Mentor: Jeff Werner, PEC
“STREAM HABITAT STUDY AND OUTREACH IN THE LONG BRANCH WATERSHED”
Susan E. O’Neill
Leesburg, VA
Central Washington University: Biology with a Minor in Chemistry
University of Washington: Certificate in Environmental Law & Regulation
Practicum Mentor: Gem Bingol, PEC
“BUSINESS MODELS FOR COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA’S) AND URBAN ROOFTOP GARDENING”
Brian C. Sproul
Chicago, IL
University of Oregon School of Law: Environmental & Natural Resource Law
Practicum Mentor: Pablo Elliot, Stoney Lonesome Farm
“NEW URBANISM/ GREEN URBANISM DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DC SUBURBS”
Erin B. Pierce
Clifton, VA
James Madison University: Political Science, Minors in Environmental Studies & Sociology
Practicum Mentor: Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth
“HABITAT CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS”
Katharine M. Chute
Wayzata, MN
Harvard: Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Minor in Government
University of MN, Duluth: Environmental Education
Practicum Mentor: James Barnes, PEC
“GUIDE TO RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL LIFE FOR NEW RESIDENTS”
Jeremy J. Rothwell
Chesapeake City, MD
Washington College: Political Science & History
University of Delaware: Masters in Urban Affairs & Public Policy
Practicum Mentors: Sue Ellen Johnson & Bri West, PEC
“ASSESSING THE AVAILABILITY OF NATIVE AND INVASIVE PLANTS IN NURSERIES ACROSS THE PEC REGION”
Morgan R. Carter
Millwood, VA
University of Mississippi: Public Policy Leadership, Minors in Environmental Studies and Business Practicum Mentor: James Barnes, PEC
Learn more at www.pecva.org/fellowship