By Lindsey Schmidt, Eco-Journalism and Blogging Intern
WMEAC offers many opportunities for college students and recent graduates looking to get some extra experience and learn more about local environmental issues (a full list of the fellowships and internships that WMEAC offers can be seen here). We would like to give a shoutout to all of the current interns who are working hard to help WMEAC achieve its goals!
Devin White, Environmental Advocacy Fellow
Devin has always had a passion for the environment and previously has explored that interest by conducting environmentally-focused research in the biology department at Hope College. He found the Environmental Advocacy Fellowship to be the perfect way to apply what he has learned in the classroom to policy and community-based change. Currently, he is working with the Wolverine Community Advisory Group (CAG), a community-centered group in northern Kent County, acting as a liaison and advocate with the EPA during the Wolverine World Wide (WWW) Clean-up in Northern Kent County. He is also investigating and researching Great Lakes access issues and water diversions within the Great Lakes basin.
What is your favorite part about working for WMEAC? I really enjoy the vast amounts of things that WMEAC is involved in. I feel like I am able to be a part of a lot of different projects and learn about a lot of different environmental issues.
What environmental issue are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about water quality and the right to clean water. Water is such a valuable resource and it is so important that we protect our water sources. At the same time, it is important and necessary to provide clean drinking water to all people.
What steps do you take in your daily life in order to be more eco-friendly? In my life, I really try to avoid single-use items. Single-use plastics are the largest plastic pollutants in the environment and it is necessary that we try to eliminate them from our lifestyle.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or school? In school, I am heavily involved in Hope College Student Congress as well the Hope Advocates for Sustainability (HAS) group on campus. In both of these groups, I have been able to advocate for student-based change to the college administration and community partners. This work has been incredibly rewarding because I have seen how students are able to actually make change on campus. Outside of school, I love to be in nature and go camping, and I try to go to the beach as much as I can!
Can you share one fun fact about yourself? I have spun, plied, and woven my very own scarf out of raw wool.
Kelly Fitzgibbon Otterness, Marketing and Communications Intern
After graduating and moving to Grand Rapids, Kelly wanted to find a community of people who care about climate change and the environment as much as she does. Her role as the Marketing and Communications Intern is split between designing and writing. As a designer, she crafts social media posts for WMEAC’s partnership with the Climate Action Campaign (CAC), which is spearheaded by Deirdre Courtney Nieves, WMEAC’s Director of Climate Solutions and Justice. Currently, WMEAC and the CAC are working to increase the public’s engagement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s proposed climate emissions standards. As a writer, Kelly supports WMEAC’s Director of Development, Sharlene Kipfer, by drafting content for fundraising emails and for the biannual print newsletter. As a former Eco-Journalism and Blogging intern, she has several past articles that she is working on adapting for this summer’s newsletter.
What is your favorite part about working for WMEAC? The staff and other interns are genuinely kind, fun people to be around. I feel comfortable in our office and intellectually excited by many of the conversations & activities going on. The culture is supportive, flexible, and values-driven.
What environmental issue are you most passionate about? Mitigating climate change and supporting safe, equitably-managed retreat from coastlines. I support increasing funding for battery research for renewable energy storage as well as prioritizing the electrification of transportation and commercial buildings. I’m also excited about home energy savings through simple methods like heavier and more eco-friendly insulation.
What steps do you take in your daily life in order to be more eco-friendly? I am lucky to be biking distance from WMEAC and also to live near a Rapid bus line. I applaud the Rapid for beginning the transition to Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs). Coming from NYC, I am very impressed by Grand Rapids’ buses! For me they are always on time, never crowded, and I love how the bus clearly announces each stop both visually and audibly. Huge fan!
What do you like to do outside of work and/or school? I am a positive-reinforcement dog training fanatic and intern at A Pleasant Dog’s school for dogs, where I get to learn agility and play with puppies after work each week! I also take improv classes at The Comedy Project once a week and highly recommend their teachers (and fellow students!).
Can you share one fun fact about yourself? Je parle français ! I love to learn languages and wish I had time/reason to learn more. For fun I sometimes learn bits of Norwegian, too.
Samantha Rypstra, Lakeshore Fellow
Samantha is native to West Michigan and cares deeply about protecting the environment in this area. Taking on the role as the Lakeshore Fellow has allowed her to learn more about the environment in West Michigan as she transitions from being a full-time student to finding a career. Currently, Samantha assists WMEAC’s Lakeshore Outreach Coordinator, Tanya Cabala, with events and projects that WMEAC is involved in on the shore of Lake Michigan. Her favorite part about working at WMEAC has been how much she is learning and all the people she’s met who share her passion for the environment.
What environmental issue are you most passionate about? I like that my fellowship allows me to work on multiple issues, but the one I am most passionate about is probably protecting the Great Lakes.
What steps do you take in your daily life in order to be more eco-friendly? A few of the things I do everyday are: I eat mostly plant-based, shop second-hand, and use reusable shopping bags.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or school? I love reading, hiking, baking, and going to the beach.
Can you share one fun fact about yourself? I made a goal recently to visit as many U.S National Parks as I can. So far I have been to eight!
Clare Doss, Water Fellow
Clare would like to pursue similar work in the future and thought the Water Fellowship at WMEAC would compliment her strengths and help prepare her for future positions. As the Water Fellow, Clare assists Carlos Calderon, WMEAC’s Director of Sustainable Community Development, and Kyle Hart, WMEAC’s Education Programs Manager, with the Adopt-a-Stream and Teach for the Watershed activities. In the future, Clare hopes to become more involved with urban agriculture projects. Clare’s favorite parts about working for WMEAC are the eco-friendly building and the location in Grand Rapids.
What environmental issue are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about urban agriculture and equitable access to quality and sustainable goods/food.
What steps do you take in your daily life in order to be more eco-friendly? I am vegetarian…my friends say I have vegan tendencies. I also like to forage and preserve food to make it last longer. My housemates and I love to compost and garden too.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or school? I love going for walks, reading, and snuggles (with either my cat or my fiancé).
Can you share one fun fact about yourself? When I was in high school (and beginning of college), I studied opera and classical music. I still love to sing.
Lindsey Schmidt, Eco-Journalism and Blogging Intern
As a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University with degrees in biochemistry and psychology, Lindsey has a science background as well as a passion for environmental issues. She enjoys writing and loves using her writing skills to communicate environmental science to the community. She found the Eco-Journalism and Blogging internship while searching for a post-graduation job and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to hone her writing skills and learn more about the environment in the presence of like-minded individuals. Currently, Lindsey writes articles for WMEAC’s blog about environmental interest stories and about what her colleagues at WMEAC are working on.
What is your favorite part about working for WMEAC? I love the atmosphere of the office and I love having the opportunity to talk to both my coworkers and others about environmental issues.
What environmental issue are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about finding ways to reduce or eliminate microplastics in our freshwater supply and oceans to promote cleaner drinking water and safer conditions for wildlife.
What steps do you take in your daily life in order to be more eco-friendly? I use reusable shopping bags and try to reduce the amount of trash I produce each day. I have also started making Ecobricks to prevent any plastic waste I produce from ending up in the environment.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or school? I love to read, watch movies, and go on walks in nature.
Can you share one fun fact about yourself? A couple of summers ago, I went skydiving at Skydive Grand Haven.
