Our Environmental Advocacy Fellowship program returns for a third year! This year, VCN recruited three paid fellows seeking to gain experience in Virginia’s conservation field.

Our Environmental Advocacy Fellows are working at VCN for ten weeks over the summer where they will tackle summer-long projects. They are joining the VCN team to advance their skills and knowledge in the conservation field through communications, grassroots advocacy, policy analysis, event planning, and more!

Kacey’s sustainability journey began as a young passion project after watching a video about melting ice caps and polar bear extinction. As an avid volunteer, her love for community work grew, engaging in environmental justice projects. She created an infographic brochure for the nonprofit OnePlanet that featured Indigenous communities’ victories against mega-development projects.

At George Mason University, Kacey served as a field interpreter at the Potomac Science Center, teaching 7th graders about watershed health. As Vice President of the Food Recovery Network, she helped restart the chapter, recovering leftover dining hall food for the Northern Virginia community. This summer, Kacey will be working under Brittney Beazley, VCN’s Operations Manager, to gain experience in communications, outreach, and organizational operations.

Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia 

Education: George Mason University – I graduated this year with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, with a concentration in Equity and Justice!  

What is your favorite childhood memory? This would definitely be the time I was in Vietnam when I was 12, and a monsoon of a storm happened while I was riding the bike with my cousin. The rain was so heavy that we were able to swim on the ground. 

What’s a surprising talent or skill that you have? Adding on to speaking Vietnamese and French, I enjoy photography, sewing, and cooking all types of cuisine!  

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken and what made it special? My trip to study abroad in South Korea for a semester in 2021 was my most memorable trip. Immersing myself in a culture where I didn’t speak the language and adapting to it was incredibly rewarding. I explored public transportation, visited many amazing local areas, and even challenged myself to live independently.

Sophie’s adventurous spirit first led her to conservation during high school, where a unit on global warming opened her eyes to climate change. Sparked by climate anxiety, she was motivated to take action. She became a vegetarian and actively participated in her high school’s environmental club, attending various protests in Washington, D.C. 

Inspired by Greta Thunberg and the young activists she met, Sophie’s initial interest evolved into a passionate commitment to activism.  This summer, she will be working under Lillian Anderson, VCN’s Clean Energy & Climate Justice Policy and Campaign Manager, working on policy analysis and research. 

Location: Arlington, Virginia 

Education: University of Virginia – I have a double major in a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Leadership from UVA’s Frank Batten School and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies: Environments and Sustainability. I also minored in Spanish. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory is going on a ‘bear hunt’ with my family, where we could choose any activity without question! When I was nine, I chose a pottery place, and I still have the pottery I made that day.

What’s a surprising talent or skill that you have? A surprising talent I have is that I learned how to salsa dance, speak French, and ride a bike all last year.

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken and what made it special? The most memorable trip I’ve taken was to Dominica in the Caribbean for a business course with an environmental social mission. The island’s natural beauty, fresh fruit, and connection to my Indo-Guyanese heritage made me feel truly understood. I also visited an indigenous community investing in solar energy, which was inspiring. 

Finn’s passion for the environment began growing up in the Northern Neck of Virginia, where he witnessed firsthand the impact of rising sea levels. At the University of Virginia, he was able to explore the intersectionality between religious studies and environmentalism. Finn’s capstone project analyzed how Cold War advertisements used moral language to promote automotive tourism and boost car-reliant infrastructure. 

His commitment to climate justice inspired him to become a grassroots organizer with Appalachian Voices, where he gained familiarity with RGGI, the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and  environmentalism in Virginia. This summer, Finn will be working alongside Wyatt Gordon, VCN’s Senior Policy & Campaigns Manager for Land Use & Transportation, working on policy analysis and advocacy.

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Education: University of Virginia – I recently graduated majoring in Religious Studies with a minor in Chinese language. 

What is your favorite childhood memory? Growing up in Lancaster County Virginia, I raised calves with my siblings! I enjoyed going outdoors in the morning with my older sister to feed the cows that were almost as big as us. 

What’s a surprising talent or skill that you have? I find map games to be enjoyable and I’ve found myself even memorizing all the counties in Virginia. 

What’s the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken and what made it special? Backpacking with one of my previous college roommates at False Cape State Park was a memorable experience. It was really fun to see the Virginia Beach boardwalk and then go 3 miles down to see the nature preserve. There were a multitude of birds throughout the area and hiking along the beach broadened my view of what hiking is all about.