Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and the Outdoor Equity Alliance have partnered to launch a new college internship program aimed at diversifying the land stewardship workforce.
A $49,990 Watershed Restoration and Community Engagement Program grant, awarded by N.J. Audubon through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will fund this initiative.
The program, hosted at The College of New Jersey, looks to enhance the representation of non-white and first-generation students in the conservation field and promote stewardship of vital watersheds.
“Traditionally, land stewardship has been a profession with limited representation from non-white and first-generation students, who often don’t have the same connections to land-based or family-related opportunities,” states a news release. “This program seeks to change that by giving these students practical, hands-on experience and a pathway into the field.”
Four first-generation students have been selected as interns for this pilot program: Jalissa Colon, a civil engineering major; Julian Delemos, a public health major; Katherine Zumba, a public health major; and Myara Gomez, who is majoring in journalism and professional writing.
The students will work on conservation efforts focused on land owned by TCNJ and Ewing Township, all within the Shabakunk Creek watershed. Their contributions will directly support the stewardship of local lands, which is vital to maintaining the quality of water draining into the Delaware River.
Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann praised the collaboration. “We’re excited to strengthen our partnership with the college, and this internship program will encourage students to explore and engage with the Ewing community beyond the campus. It’s a great opportunity that benefits both the students and the community.”
FoHVOS Executive Director Jenn Rogers said that the organization has been a leader in collaborating with the community to create impactful conservation.
“This grant makes it possible for our stewardship team to expand our community-focused efforts in many exciting ways, including a new relationship with Ewing Township and creating a college level internship with OEA.” she said. “Our goal is for this program to become a model for other New Jersey colleges and universities to integrate student empowered conservation planning and action into their campus.”
Through the program, students will learn skills in areas such as native plant identification, GIS technology, data management and conservation planning. They will also participate in professional development opportunities and network with industry leaders, opening doors for future careers in land stewardship.
“We are thrilled to partner with FoHVOS and TCNJ, and to work with such a passionate group of students who are eager to deepen their understanding of conservation,” said William Wilson, executive director of the Outdoor Equity Alliance.
He added: “At OEA, we are dedicated to inspiring a diverse new generation of environmental leaders. This collaboration not only provides students with valuable hands-on experience but also empowers them to contribute to the long-term sustainability and protection of our local environment.”
Interns and program leaders recently participated in an orientation to chart the course for the initiative.
“We are thrilled for the TCNJ interns to learn from experts at FoHVOS and OEA as they join a new generation of land stewards with tools to shape conservation efforts on campus and across Ewing,” said Wendy Clement, PhD, who is chair of the TCNJ Department of Biology.
“These students bring an excitement to their work that will be sure to inspire others in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future,” Clement said.
The $49,990 grant is part of a larger $228,000 award to projects that promote watershed restoration and community engagement. Leaders from FoHVOS and OEA hope this pilot program will serve as a model for other schools and municipalities to develop their own stewardship initiatives.
FoHVOS is a non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving the valley’s character by partnering with the community to preserve land, protect natural resources and inspire a new generation of conservation. The land trust manages nearly 3,000 acres of preserves and 17 miles of hiking trails.
The preserves provide habitat for more than 40 species of rare and state-listed plants and animals, protect the water quality of streams and rivers, and are home to nearly 1,000 acres of untouched old forest.
The Outdoor Equity Alliance, based in Trenton, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating equitable access to nature for all communities and inspiring a diverse new generation of environmental leaders.
OEA seeks to bridge the gap in outdoor access and conservation opportunities for underserved populations through educational programs, workforce development and community-driven initiatives. It fosters partnerships with local schools, community organizations and environmental institutions.
“OEA empowers individuals to engage with the natural world while addressing pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental justice, and sustainability,” states the news release. “Our mission is to make nature accessible to everyone, ensuring that the benefits of the outdoors are shared by all, regardless of background or location.”
An orientation meeting was recently held at The College of New Jersey for the new internship program created by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and the Outdoor Equity Alliance. Pictured at rear are: Mike Van Clef (left), stewardship director at FoHVOS; Jenn Rogers, executive director, FoHVOS; intern Julian Delemos; Dr. Wendy Clement; and William Wilson, executive director, OEA. At front are: intern Jalissa Colon; intern Katherine Zumba; Elizabeth Reyes, program coordinator for OEA; Miriam Shakow, assistant professor of anthropology and history at TCNJ; and Aaron Watson, co-founder of the Outdoor Equity Alliance and Ewing Township business administrator.,
