Environmental Leadership Fellowship

“Being a summer fellow for the Virginia Conservation Network has opened so many doors for me as an environmental leader to pursue my passions while developing professionally and building a networking portfolio. Through this fellowship, I was able to grow as an outdoor leader and climate advocate through education and hands-on projects that have given me knowledge that I will use for the rest of my career. I am so grateful to have worked with VCN and their partners this summer and experienced the work being done to create a cleaner and greener Virginia.”

“The Virginia Conservation Network’s Environmental Leadership Fellowship taught me the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in my future career. Through this experience, I gained a clear understanding of my professional goals and the direction I want to pursue after completing my undergraduate studies. The fellowship opened doors to opportunities and connections in the environmental and urban planning fields that I would not have been able to access on my own.”

“Not often does one find an experience that is as educational, uplifting, and energizing as I have found my fellowship with VCN to be. As my first position out of college, seeing the work everyone in the network is doing and getting to be a part of it has made me excited and hopeful for the future of the environment in Virginia and beyond.”

“Virginia Conservation Network gave me an insightful opportunity to focus on local environmental issues, and to understand the issues, solutions, and policies ongoing within my home state. Not only do I feel that I have a better understanding between the relationships of science, policy, and social justice, but I feel more connected to my home state’s priorities and beliefs towards conserving the beautiful nature that surrounds. I am so grateful to have worked with this great team!”

“Working for the Virginia Conservation Network has been transformative for me. Developing a portfolio of work that I take pride in has not only been incredibly rewarding but has boosted my confidence in my ability to advance my career in this field. The resources and opportunities VCN has provided have given me a platform to produce the work I have always been passionate about. The professional connections I’ve established and the skills I’ve honed have undeniably shaped my career journey for the better, and I’m privileged to have played a part in such an influential organization.”

“During my time at the Virginia Conservation Network, I was fortunate to create incredible memories, seize valuable opportunities, and engage in profound learning moments. I cannot express how invaluable this experience has been for me, particularly as a first-generation college student and an individual of color. Seeing firsthand the impressive efforts being made for Virginia’s environment left a deep impression, and I’m genuinely grateful I could contribute. The doors that VCN has opened for me through its dedicated team and extensive partner network are too numerous to count. I couldn’t have asked for a better organization to be a part of.”

“The Virginia Conservation Network gave me a rare opportunity. I was able to get my foot in the door and gain valuable experience in a field I desperately wanted to enter but didn’t know how to. I learned more on the job than I did over the course of many semesters of schooling and made many extremely valuable connections along the way. The abundance of professional development opportunities, wonderfully kind mentors, vast partner network, and absolutely favorable working conditions make the Virginia Conservation Network an extremely ideal organization to work with.”