AWARD YEAR: 2023

TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY

DIRECTOR: DIQUAN EDMONDS

PROJECT TITLE: THE PATHWAYS INTO NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS AND SCIENCE (PINES) FELLOWSHIP

Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC)'s Pathways Into Natural Environments and Science fellowship (PINES) offers opportunities for a diverse group of high school students in the outdoors and environmental fields. PINES students learn about career opportunities in conservation and natural resources, build relationships with TLC staff and board members, and learn about conservation and environmental science through immersive experiences surrounding TLC’s four public benefits: safeguarding clean water, protecting natural habitats, supporting local farms and food, and connecting people with nature. TLC developed the PINES Fellowship in 2021 to address the well-documented lack of diversity in our field of work. Research shows that, over time, employment of People of Color in environmental organizations has remained relatively stagnant, and those who do gain employment often remain out of leadership positions. PINES has a proven positive effect on participating students and their outlook on the environment, science and outdoor careers, and offers them a much-needed sense of belonging. TLC staff meet weekly with 5-10 PINES fellows after school at one of TLC’s nature preserves. These meetings feature guest speakers from environmental organizations, and students carry out a range of hands-on activities including soil and water sampling, bird surveys, camping, field botany, invasive species removal and assisting with TLC community events. In addition to a monthly stipend, we work with PINES fellows on leadership development, career prep and college applications, and PINES graduates receive scholarships for use in college or to help them enter the workforce. To date, all of the senior graduating fellows have gone on to pursue a STEM degree and/or a job in natural resources.

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