Two and a half years ago, I just graduated from Cornell University and was  on a quest to find my first post-college job. As all environmental science grads can attest to, there are an overwhelming number of paths to choose from. Become a park ranger? Join ClimateCorp? Work for an environmental consulting firm? I had experience interning for environmental nonprofits and knew I liked the work, so when I found a 2-year fellowship position at the Huron River Watershed Council, I applied. In October 2022, I moved to Michigan and started the job. 

 

Fellowship projects 

A boy looks at a tray of aquatic insects at a STEM education booth at a fair. A staff person shows the boy where one bug is hiding by pointing.
Melina teaches kids about benthic macroinvertebrates at Parkridge Summerfest.

I am proud of what I’ve accomplished over the past two years. I led the redesign of our data and maps page, increasing the availability of water quality data and educational resources about the watershed. HRWC is using the maps I made showing polluted sites in the watershed to advocate for Polluter Pay legislation—they were featured at a press conference in Lansing and published by the news media covering the story. I worked to grow our partnership with the Parkridge Community Center and taught kids at their STEM summer camp. I co-led volunteers on a large mussel monitoring project in Ypsilanti that is preparing the river for dam removal. I learned how to run focus groups with watershed residents and used the lessons learned in those conversations to improve HRWC’s ability to serve communities. Above all, I have learned a tremendous amount from the HRWC staff and their deep and diverse expertise.

 

Increasing diversity in the workplace 

Two people stand knee deep in a river. One, environmental fellow melina, holds a large measuring stick and leans over to see the depth. Another person with a clip board writes down the measurement.
Alex and Melina collect water depth data while volunteers search for mussel in the Huron River.

I am one of four DTE Energy Foundation fellows placed in different environmental nonprofits throughout Michigan. This is the second cohort of DTE Energy Foundation’s Environmental Fellowship program. The fellowship was created to provide opportunities for underrepresented, recent college graduates to gain career-building experience in environmental conservation.  Although it is improving, BIPOC are severely underrepresented in the environmental workforce (report). I have been the only BIPOC staff in most of the environmental jobs and internships I’ve had. It is not easy and often lonely, and troubling when a group’s staff does not reflect the population they serve. But the silver lining is that the DTE Energy Foundation and the organizations they’ve partnered with to create this fellowship are making a difference. 

 

With gratitude 

Four young women stand smiling in a large conference room. They are wearing name badges.
DTE Energy Foundation’s ’22-’24 cohort of environmental fellows. Fellows were hosted by HRWC, ReLeaf Michigan, The Nature Conservancy, and Muskegon River Watershed Assembly.

I have grown more in these past two years than ever before. I am so grateful to my coworkers and the greater HRWC community for easing my transition from college student to career professional. HRWC has empowered me to influence the trajectory of my work and take on more responsibility as the fellowship progressed. I am also eternally grateful to DTE Energy Foundation and Jennifer Lawson, the creator of this fellowship, for providing this opportunity in the first place. It is rare to find a job where I can pursue work in ecology, STEM education, and environmental justice. It sometimes seems inevitable that all environmental professionals eventually have to settle for a job that is only science or only human-focused. But organizations like HRWC exemplify that we are most impactful when we do both.

 

This is just the start! 

As my fellowship approached its end, I was so sad at the prospect of having to leave HRWC. I’ve grown to love the Huron River, the staff I work with, and the work I do. The good news is, I won’t be leaving! In January, I will tackle my new role with HRWC as a Watershed Programs Associate. I am excited to continue to be a voice for the Huron River. 

 

See you then!