The hybrid eight-week program gives participants a practical and comprehensive understanding of the role of nonprofit and local engagement in addressing complex and interdisciplinary environmental issues faced by communities today.
Five weeks of the program will be online through Google Meet/Zoom, featuring Socratic seminar-style classroom discussions, guest lectures, and assignments to practice knowledge and skill application. Three weeks will be devoted to an in-person stay in Northern Virginia, with off-site excursions to conservation properties owned by PEC and key sites in our nine-county area and the City of Charlottesville. Fellows will be engaged in hands-on activities, fieldwork, educational tours, and recreation — from hikes at state and national parks to a float down the Rappahannock River. Along the way, fellows will explore how individual and collective action can shape the short and long-term futures of communities, the climate, and the environment as a whole.
The program culminates in a collaborative real–world practicum, during which fellows will choose a research focus of interest based on a particular aspect of PEC’s work in the Virginia Piedmont.
We encourage you to apply to the PEC Fellowship Program if you:
- want to broaden your environmental knowledge and gain new perspectives;
- are interested in a local, interdisciplinary, and multi-sector approach to environmental work;
- want to explore how policy, conservation science, and advocacy intersect on the ground, in the real world;
- hold space for nuance and complexity in problem-solving;
- value smart growth, land conservation and access to nature;
- have an interest in the nonprofit or government sector;
- are passionate about a diverse and holistic environmental field;
- are committed to supporting and advocating for equity and justice; and
- want to strengthen your leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Location(s)
- Northern Virginia
- Students will visit various sites throughout Northern Virginia during the 3 week in-person component
Schedule
- June 2nd - July 25th, 2025
- In-person component will run from June 16th - July 4th, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- PEC covers all program-related expenses and provides each fellow with a stipend of $325 per week (all eight weeks) to cover living expenses. For the three weeks in-person, which will take place June 16-July 4, PEC will provide dual occupancy lodging/hotel accommodations and offer a travel reimbursement, subject to prior approval, to cover the cost of getting to and from the Virginia Piedmont (i.e. airfare, gas mileage).
Eligibility Requirements
- Undergraduate juniors and seniors from any institution, in any major, as well as graduate students and recent college graduates
Deadline
- February 13th, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
- Your resume and cover letter (combined in a Microsoft Word or PDF document that you will upload)
- One short essay response
- One long essay response
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1972 and dedicated to promoting conservation, sustainable land use, and environmental protection in the Piedmont region of Virginia. PEC focuses on issues such as land conservation, agricultural preservation, and responsible land development to safeguard the natural beauty and resources of the area. Through advocacy, community engagement, and land conservation efforts, the organization works to preserve the Piedmont's unique landscapes, wildlife habitats, and cultural heritage.
