2012 PEC Fellowship Program
Piedmont Environmental Council

Organization Description: The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation organization, community planning resource and regional land trust founded in 1972 to promote and protect the Virginia Piedmont's rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty.

Job Description: The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) offers an experiential education program for college students and recent graduates to introduce them to an effective model for bringing about positive change, and provide them with skills to apply in their own communities.

The Fellowship Program is conducted from June 11 - July 27, 2012 in Warrenton, Virginia. During these seven weeks, Fellows walk through each element of PEC's work, learning from seasoned experts the theoretic framework underlying PEC's mission as well as the practical how-tos of applied initiatives.

Fellows learn about the following topics related to PEC's mission:

    Land Conservation
    Land Use Planning & Advocacy
    Agriculture & Local Food
    Energy Conservation & Policy
    Water Quality
    Air Quality
    Relations with State and Local Government
    Development and Communications
    Grassroots and Internet Organizing
    GIS mapping
    Historic Preservation

June 11-July 6 - Academic Session: The first four weeks of the program are focused on academic activities including orientation, classroom instruction from PEC staff, field trips, guest lectures, assigned readings and participation in a PEC staff meeting. Participants typically benefit from 60 speakers and over 30 field trips.

July 9- July 27 - Individual Practicum Session: The final three weeks of the program allow the Fellows to develop and use their new skills in a real world setting to complete an individual practicum of personal interest, yet related to PEC's mission. Fellows will complete the practicum with the assistance of a mentor from PEC or a partnering organization.

Qualifications: While interest in environmental stewardship or growth and community planning is advised and will enhance the Fellow's experience, we welcome applicants from a variety of academic fields. Previous fellowship applicants have represented numerous courses of study including environmental science, government, economics, human & environmental relations, historic preservation, anthropology, sociology, international studies, american studies, geography, and more.

You should apply for the PEC Fellowship Program if you:

    Want to make a difference in your community;
    Are interested in environmental stewardship, land conservation and land use issues;
    Are currently enrolled in college or graduate school or a recent college graduate; and
    Would like to gain real world experience working with a non-profit organization.

Learn More: Visit our website for more information and applications (due March 9, 2012): www.pecva.org/fellowship