A synopsis of our fellows’ experience in the legislative building and the field
Each summer, through the Stanback Fellowship Program, Duke University students gain hands-on experience contributing to conservation efforts across North Carolina. The collaborative program connects students from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment with non-profit environmental organizations, bridging academic learning with conservation in action. This summer, we were thrilled to have three Stanback Fellows join the CTNC team: Sean Burke, Land Protection Assistant, Amelia Schmidt and Kevin Rafferty, Conservation Policy-in-Practice Fellows.
Amelia Schmidt, Conservation Policy-in-Practice Fellow
Amelia’s role focused on researching conservation policy in North Carolina and understanding how it impacts landowners in our state. One of the most impactful moments of Amelia’s fellowship was speaking with legislators about CTNC’s work and the Conservation Tax Credit. Through fieldwork, stakeholder interviews, collaborative partnerships, committee meetings, and communications projects, she gained a deeper understanding of how policy takes shape in practice and that effective conservation policy extends far beyond words on paper.
Amelia’s fellowship also clarified her long-term career goals. She had previously worked with the National Park Service, where she developed a passion for land conservation. Her devotion to conservation led her to Duke’s graduate program and the position with CTNC. When asked what her ultimate takeaway was from the experience, she responded, “Working for CTNC solidified my future in land preservation. I now understand how land trusts and other conservation entities and systems operate to help protect vital lands in the state. I will continue to pursue opportunities in this sphere of work, aided by the experiences, knowledge, and connections I gained through CTNC.”
Sean Burke, Land Protection Assistant
Over the course of his fellowship, Sean focused on monitoring properties protected by CTNC, completing annual monitoring and stewardship reports, and utilizing GIS software to create maps of protected areas. Joining in the tradition of past fellows, Sean’s efforts played an important part in stewarding the land we’ve protected and understanding the impacts of CTNC’s work along the Blue Ridge Parkway. During his time with CTNC, Sean completed 19 monitoring visits in 12 counties. He also developed the maps displayed during CTNC’s Conservation Celebration, providing a visual insight of our land protection work to supporters and partners who attended.
For Sean, the most memorable part of the fellowship was the opportunity to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains firsthand. Hailing from the Midwest, he had spent little time in the mountains beyond vacations, so traveling through Western NC with the land protection team and meeting directly with conservation landowners offered a new perspective on the landscapes around us. Attending the Conservation Celebration in Blowing Rock was another highlight, providing an opportunity to connect with the broader conservation community.
When asked if the experience helped shape his professional development goals, Sean answered, “Working with CTNC exposed me to so many new aspects of conservation that I was not familiar with. The experience I gained plus applying what I learned at Duke with GIS to be able to help CTNC has really helped solidify my interest in pursuing a career in the field.”
Kevin Rafferty, Conservation Policy-in-Practice Fellow
Kevin’s role, in tandem with Amelia, included research on North Carolina conservation policies, meeting with legislators, and creating an online tool to display the projects that have utilized the NC Conservation Tax Credit. One highlight of the summer he shared was the opportunity to visit the North Carolina State Legislature, attend committee hearings, and meet with state senators and representatives. One key takeaway Kevin noted from his experience was, “The opportunity to be in the beating heart of the state government allowed me to learn hands on how policy is shaped by public and private forces.”
For Kevin, the fellowship offered a valuable perspective on the connection between conservation work and the policy decisions that affect communities and North Carolina’s natural resources. The position helped clarify Kevin’s professional goals, reinforcing his interest in working at the intersection of policy, people, and environmental protection. Through his experience with CTNC, he discovered how much he values contributing to policies that can create positive impacts for communities while supporting the protection of North Carolina’s environment.
Every year, the fellows that join CTNC provide an integral role in strengthening our work and advancing our mission. This summer, Amelia, Sean, and Kevin contributed meaningful insight to our land protection work, lobbying efforts to promote conservation policies in our state, and creating visual tools to better convey the “why” behind our work. The Stanback Fellowship Program fuels current and future conservation efforts by investing in young professionals, bringing in new perspectives, and expanding the capacity of organizations like ours across the state.
