Sustainability Fellowships

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Organization Name

City, State
Position is in-person, hybrid, remote

About the Host Organization: 
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About the Fellowship position: 
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Outcomes: 

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Desired Qualifications: 

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Location:  
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Work will be performed fully ( in-person, hybrid, or remote)

Mentor:  
name, title

Enhancing Climate Education Through a Global Lens

The Climate Initiative 

Kennebunkport, Maine 
Position is remote

About the Host Organization: 
The Climate Initiative (TCI) empowers youth aged 13-23 to take positive climate action through our three-pronged approach: Educate - Demystify climate change through tangible solutions, Empower - Instill in youth a sense of agency and leadership, and Activate - Catalyze youth to engage in community action. What began as a local initiative in Kennebunkport, Maine, has grown into a national movement.  TCI’s top-tier project-based programming was developed by three passionate educators collaborating from their respective organizations, The University of New England, Kennebunk High School, and the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. By connecting students with their local landscape and helping them understand and address climate challenges in their community, from rising sea levels to warming oceans, the class was able to empower youth through local climate action, giving them a sense of hope and agency and bringing a global crisis to the local level. 

About the Fellowship position: 
As the climate crisis intensifies, educators worldwide play a pivotal role in empowering youth to drive solutions. While TCI’s Learning Lab resources assist educators in incorporating climate topics, activities, and action projects into their classrooms, we recognize that many barriers remain to implementing climate education. We understand that climate science can be confusing, polarizing, and difficult to navigate in the classroom. Many educators are not trained in climate science or education, leaving them hesitant to lead discussions on the topic. However, we firmly believe that climate education should be rooted across subjects, exposing students to the intersections of the climate crisis. Therefore, in addition to offering curriculum modules and annual retreats for educators, TCI is aiming to provide a mini-series of independent professional development courses.  

Outcomes: 

1. Assess existing programs for international educators – Conduct focus groups and interviews with current international educators and other stakeholders to evaluate the current resources and gather feedback on their effectiveness from the international perspective.
2. Align resources with SDGs – Review existing educational materials and make adjustments to better connect with the SDGs, and the UN Green Education Partnership, emphasizing global and Indigenous perspectives.
3. Enhance international relevance – Incorporate international needs and perspectives into resources through relevant articles and case studies, and further TCI’s work on an international landscape analysis.
4. Streamline communication – Improve the process of communicating with international educators and collecting and amplifying their climate action stories.
5. Implement educator feedback – work with the team to create a detailed plan for continued feedback collection and integration with the international sector to ensure effective outreach and meaningful impact 

Desired Qualifications: 
The Sustainability Fellow will need to have a passion for tackling the climate crisis and furthering TCI’s mission. They need to be a detail-oriented self-starter who can work independently and communicate with team members effectively. Strong research, project management, communication skills, and some knowledge of climate education will help them be successful in their project. The fellow will ideally be majoring in environmental science, sustainability, education, international studies, political science or related subjects. 

Mentor:  
Alexa Sabatini, Programs Coordinato

Accelerating Climate Action: GHG Inventory, Analysis, Roadmap

City of Nashua, NH

Nashua, NH
Position is fully in-person

About the Host Organization: 
Nashua, New Hampshire (pop. ~91,000), is the second-largest city in the state and a regional hub for commerce, culture, and innovation in the Merrimack Valley. As a municipality, the City of Nashua is committed to building a resilient and sustainable future, as codified in our guiding document, the "Imagine Nashua Master Plan." The Plan sets forth clear, measurable goals for environmental stewardship and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. Our dedicated Sustainability Department serves as the catalyst for these initiatives, working across all municipal departments to implement energy efficiency, clean energy generation, sustainable transportation, and waste reduction strategies that improve both our environment and the quality of life for our residents. The department also uses the Livable Nashua Sustainability Plan as a critical guiding document, which establishes the specific, actionable steps needed to achieve the larger goals outlined in the Master Plan. 

About the Fellowship position: 
Nashua, like other municipalities globally, faces the urgent challenge of mitigating climate change while maintaining essential public services. Effective climate action requires a clear, data-driven understanding of current environmental performance. The City of Nashua has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through the Imagine Nashua Master Plan, which establishes specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets for its own municipal operations. However, without a recent, comprehensive inventory and a rigorous analysis of progress against the 2016 baseline, the City's ability to prioritize future investments and policy changes remains constrained. This fellowship project is crucial to providing the foundational, current data necessary to transition the City’s climate commitment from planning to effective execution. 

Outcomes: 

• 2024 GHG Emissions Summary: A final GHG inventory showing the total metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO₂e) emissions for 2024, broken down by sector.
• Comprehensive Final Report: A formal document presenting all findings and comparison data, including detailed, feasible policy and investment recommendations that specifically align with or expand upon the action items defined in the Livable Nashua Sustainability Plan. Fellow with support from their Mentor will create a  report suitable for presentation to the Mayor's Office, Board of Aldermen, and relevant departments.
• Final Presentation: A prepared slide deck summarizing the project's methodology, key findings from the 2024 inventory and 2016 comparison, and the final prioritized recommendations. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Must be full-time student or recent grad pursuing a degree in a related field (e.g. environmental science, sustainability, planning, renewable energy or energy efficiency, public policy/administration)
• Preference for candidates that have participated in Climate Action Clinic
• Familiarity with greenhouse gas accounting protocols (e.g. ICLEI Local Government Operations (LGO) Protocol) or ability to learn new software tools quickly (i.e. ICLEI ClearPath tool).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Ability to create outreach materials and graphics, demonstrating design skills.
• Interest in public outreach and ability to communicate complex technical data to a non-technical public audience.
• Interest in understanding the social justice lens and the co-benefits (like air quality and freed-up taxpayer dollars) of municipal emissions reduction efforts.
• Experience with local government is a plus
• Experience with data processing and analysis, and scenario modeling.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. 

Mentors:  
Levent Akinci, Sustainability Planner, Sustainability Department
Deb Chisholm, Sustainability Manager, Sustainability Department 

Seacoast Tourism Trends & Economic Impact

Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce  

Hampton, NH 
Position is in-person

About the Host Organization: 
The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce serves the Seacoast towns of Seabrook, Hampton Falls, Hampton, Hampton Beach, North Hampton, and Rye, New Hampshire. Representing local businesses and supporting community initiatives year-round, the Chamber promotes economic growth, strengthens tourism, and fosters connections among residents, visitors, and the business community. The organization also manages and staffs the Hampton Beach Information Center and collaborates closely with municipalities, lodging partners, and state tourism agencies. 

About the Fellowship position: 
Hampton Beach is one of New Hampshire’s most visited destinations, yet there is currently no comprehensive system for tracking visitor demographics, regional origins, travel behaviors, or evolving tourism patterns. Recent fluctuations in cross-border travel—particularly changes in visitation from Canada—have raised concerns about economic resilience and the long-term stability of the region’s tourism economy. Understanding who visits, when they come, and how broader social and economic factors influence their experience is essential for developing data-driven marketing, infrastructure, and community planning strategies. 

Outcomes: 
The Fellow will begin by developing a comprehensive visitor data collection plan and sampling strategy. Throughout the 2026 peak season, the Fellow will conduct on-site data collection across Hampton Beach and engage local businesses to produce summaries of economic impacts, observed trends, and qualitative feedback. All primary and secondary data will be compiled into an integrated dataset to support meaningful analysis. The Fellow will identify key trends, create visualizations, and translate findings into a final written report with actionable recommendations for marketing, planning, and economic development. At the end of the fellowship, the Fellow will present their results to the Chamber Board, the Hampton Beach Village District, and regional economic development partners. 

Desired Qualifications: 

Location:
Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, 47 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH 03842. 

Work will be performed fully in-person to complete research and data collection. Hybrid model can be applied if necessary, but it is necessary for a majority of the work to be completed on site.   

Mentors:  
John Nyhan, President, Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce 
Amanda Heintzelman, Project/Program Technical Advisor 
Additional support from Chamber staff 

Ecosystem Sustainability Stewardship 

Hurricane Island Center for Science & Leadership 

Rockland, Maine
Position is in-person

About the Host Organization: 
The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is a transformative learning community on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Our mission is to integrate scientific research and education to develop leaders prepared to address environmental issues through year-round educational programs and a seasonal, environmentally sustainable island community. Through experiential education programs and research opportunities in STEM disciplines we aim to excite people about doing science and becoming leaders in the next wave of scientific discovery and environmental conservation. Being based on a remote, coastal Maine island, provides both challenges and opportunities to develop specialized sustainable energy, waste, water, and food systems (agriculture and aquaculture), which offer unique and engaging hands-on education opportunities focused on sustainability. 

About the Fellowship position: 
 

Outcomes: 
The first part of the Fellowship will be spent learning about the sustainable systems and the marine ecosystem surrounding Hurricane Island. The Fellow will work closely with the Assistant Director of Education to gain a baseline knowledge of the rocky intertidal zone flora and fauna, local fisheries, planktonic communities, the significance of the rapidly warming Gulf of Maine, and trophic shifts due to climate change. The Fellow will also work with our Facilities Manager to understand the systems which keep the island running. On a smaller scale early on, the Fellow will also work with our research team to understand our aquaculture systems and engage students in the harvest and consumption preparation of sustainable shellfish and sea vegetables. As the Fellow becomes familiar with the systems on the island, they can begin to engage in hands-on science communication practices along with our education team, educating visitors to the island about marine ecosystem sustainability and operating off the grid through informal learning opportunities like intertidal invasive species management, sustainability walks, coastal resiliency lessons, volunteer days, and short workshops.  

Desired Qualifications: 

Academic Background

• Current undergraduate student

Experience

• Familiarity with the marine ecosystem
• Familiarity with environmental sustainability
• Involvement in community service projects, leadership, and social and environmental justice
• General familiarity with aquaculture
• Interest in working with racial and ethnic minority groups, English language learners, urban youth, low-income communities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, people with special needs, and other groups that are underrepresented in the field of environmental education

General / Soft Skills

• General comfort leading formal and informal learning experiences with middle and high school students
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for teaching
• Demonstrated initiative to identify and complete projects and work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision
• Comfort in coordinating and facilitating meetings
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills  
• A growth mindset including a willingness to be coached and openness to feedback
• Commitment to equity and inclusion within our community and participation in a culture of continual learning around equity and inclusion work

Technical / Specialized Skills

• Experience with environmental data collection and management would be a plus
• Capable of safely lifting 50 lbs or weight and working on unstable surfaces
• Interests  
• General interest in informal learning, place-based education approaches and science communication.  
• Ability and willingness to work and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all staff share living and work spaces 

Location:
The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership’s mainland office is at 19 Commercial St., Rockland, Maine. Work will be performed on Hurricane Island, which is 12 miles off the coast of Rockland. Housing and meals are provided on Hurricane Island. Hurricane island will provide transportation for all work-related events, and two round-trip ferry tickets each month for personal use.  

Mentors:  
Kyle Amergian, Assistant Director of Education & Programs 
Crickett Warner, Island Coordinator 
Will Galloway, Director of Education & Programs

Mission-Aligned Data Analysis

Prime Buchholz LLC 

Portsmouth, NH 
Position is hybrid

About the Host Organization: 
Prime Buchholz LLC was established in 1988 and has grown to become a leading, uniquely independent investment advisory firm providing comprehensive investment solutions for roughly 250 clients. Headquartered in Portsmouth, NH—with offices in Boston and Atlanta—Prime Buchholz was one of the first investment advisors to develop in-depth expertise in alternative investments such as hedge funds, private equity, and real assets. 

About the Fellowship position: 
Our Fellow will work alongside the Mission-Aligned Investment (MAI) team to assess sustainability and diversity integration throughout our clients’ portfolios. This will include extracting, analyzing, and organizing sustainability and inclusion data through our proprietary scoring system, which the Fellow will spend considerable time determining how it may be streamlined. Additional responsibilities may include enhancing the Firm’s impact reporting and identifying ways to augment sustainability efforts at the Firm. 

Under the supervision of the Firm’s Mission-Aligned Investment team, our Sustainability Fellow will:

• Work with research professionals, external managers, and third-party data vendors to source mission-aligned-related information  
• Develop, or work to develop, an automated scoring rubric  
• Score investment managers with respect to sustainability and inclusion implementation
• Update information in our central data repository
• Utilize artificial intelligence in extracting mission-aligned related content from existing manager documentation and identify gaps in data
• Continue building upon the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) impact database
• If time permits, work with the MAI team to enhance impact reporting  
• Actively make recommendations to improve upon the survey, scoring rubric, and reporting, as well as recommendations to maximize impact of the Firm’s sustainability initiatives.
• Partner with the Firm’s other interns on a cross-functional project to be presented to senior management. 

Outcomes: 
Outside of the summer survey project, the Fellow will also work collaboratively alongside the Firm’s other summer interns on a firm-wide project.  

Desired Qualifications: 
We welcome students from a wide range of academic disciplines, however, preference will be given to those pursuing finance and/or investment management. Although there is greater emphasis on the use of automation this year, only a general interest/understanding is required. We look for students who have:  

• Ability to engage meaningfully and professionally with internal and external parties
• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills
• Critical thinker and strong analytical skills
• Attention to detail
• Demonstrated success working independently/self-starter
• Flexibility
• Intellectual curiosity
• Comfortable with technology/systems 

Location:
Prime Buchholz LLC, 273 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH  

Mentor:  
Rachel Rymaszewski, Research, Senior Research Analyst 
 

Position Placeholder

Organization

City, State
Position is hybrid in-person remote 

About the Host Organization: 
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About the Fellowship position: 
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Outcomes: 

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Desired Qualifications: 

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Location:
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Work will be performed hybrid in-person remote

Mentors:  
 

Aquaculture Life Cycle Assessment 

UNH Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems 

Durham, NH
Position is hybrid

About the Host Organization: 
The Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems (CSSS) is housed in the multidisciplinary School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering (SMSOE) with faculty from the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, NH Sea Grant, and UNH Extension. The Center was formed with a vision to establish a new paradigm in seafood production that supports the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. While a global perspective is necessary, change occurs at the local level with people. We can rethink how seafood is produced not only in the US, but around the world. 

About the Fellowship position: 
The CSSS operates an Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) fish farm. This farm is located on the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire, and consists of a floating platform with two net pens, moored to the ocean floor. The IMTA system produces steelhead trout for research and for commercial applications in the local seafood market. In addition to steelhead trout, the farm produces kelp and mussels, which are grown to offset the nutrient input from the fish, as these are extractive species. To rigorously examine the carbon footprint of IMTA practices in New Hampshire, we aim to implement a life cycle assessment (LCA) that quantifies greenhouse gas emissions in terms of CO₂-equivalents (CO₂e) per kilogram of harvested product. This will require detailed measurement of on-site energy consumption (kWh for pumping, lighting, and monitoring), fuel use for boats and vehicles, and the embodied carbon of construction materials and equipment. Feed inputs will be characterized using feed conversion ratios (FCRs) and associated emissions factors from ingredient production, transportation, and processing. For extractive components such as seaweeds and bivalves, carbon sequestration and nutrient uptake rates (g C or N sequestered per m² or per kg biomass) should be quantified and incorporated into net emission balances. Comparing IMTA results with monoculture baselines will highlight potential emission reductions and provide a quantitative basis for scaling sustainable aquaculture in the region. 

Outcomes: 

• We expect the final outcome to be a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the lifecycle of the AquaFort project in terms of CO₂-equivalents.
• We expect the Fellow to ultimately present and disseminate the findings from this project to their peers and others within the UNH community.  
• We wish to utilize the framework put forth by the Fellow for future LCA’s for additional renditions of the AquaFort in other parts of the country, as well as for other projects here in NH. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Earth Science, Biology, Engineering, or other related fields
• Experience in developing lifecycle assessments, carbon assessments, greenhouse gas inventories, or similar sustainability metric analyses
• Must be comfortable working in a team setting, with good communication skills
• Must be comfortable working with a diverse network of colleagues
• Should be comfortable being on a boat, and completing tasks on the water
  Must have strong organizational skills
• Must be comfortable managing large datasets
• Preferably have some experience with R Studio and Microsoft excel similar software to work with datasets
• The ideal candidate will be interested in marine science, seafood, and coastal ecology. 

Location:
Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Morse Hall 113, Durham, NH 03824 

Mentors:  
Primary Mentor:  Michael Doherty, Research Project Manager II, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering 
Secondary Mentor:  Dr. Michael Coogan, Research Assistant Professor, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering 

The Future of Rural

Rē: The Regenerative School

About the Host Organization: 
Rē is a grounded 501(c)3 at the nexus of embodied education, social justice, environmental regeneration, and civic engagement activities. The mission of Re is to catalyze transformative learning to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Rē works through education, research and civic engagement activities to foster regenerative processes which add to the abundance and resilience of ecological, social and economic communities. 

The Future of Rural program reimagines education as a tool for systemic healing—co-creating with rural communities to address health inequities, empower local leadership, and cultivate ecological and economic resilience through participatory, inclusive learning. 

About the Fellowship position: 
The Future of Rural program reimagines education as a regenerative force for social, ecological, and economic renewal in rural America. Addressing the systemic decline of essential services and opportunities in rural communities, the program uses Participatory Action Research (PAR) and regenerative education to co-create solutions that promote health equity, community agency, and ecological resilience. 

The Future of Rural model is intentionally replicable and adaptable across different geographies. As it expands, it offers a scalable blueprint for community-led education, potentially inspiring a national network of regenerative learning hubs that integrate health equity, environmental stewardship, and community leadership. 

Outcomes: 
This fellowship project centers on research related to the future of education, regenerative education, and the Future of Rural program. Fellowship activities include developing a comprehensive database, organizing a webinar, and engaging key stakeholders. The Fellow will contribute to refining the program’s regenerative education framework by gathering insights from students, rural community partners, and practitioners across alternative and community-driven education models. A core element of the project is the design and implementation of a community-engaged webinar, which will function both as a research tool and as a participatory platform for feedback and collaboration. 

• Conduct comprehensive research on higher education, regenerative education, and emerging innovations in alternative learning models, and develop a structured database to organize and track these findings.
• Foster a Network of Regenerative Practitioners: Build a cohort of graduates prepared to bridge education, community health, and ecology creating ripple effects of transformation across rural America and beyond.
• Produce a final report and research database summarizing findings, community insights, and recommendations for strengthening the Future of Rural program. 

Desired Qualifications: 
While specific academic degrees are flexible, candidates with experience or study in education, social sciences, sustainability, environmental studies, or community development will be best positioned to contribute meaningfully. A background in education for sustainability, social innovation, or rural studies would be advantageous but not essential. 

Location:
Rē: The Regenerative School, P.O. Box 824, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334 

Work will be performed 100% remotely. All required tasks can be completed virtually, with mileage reimbursement available if travel is ever required. 

Mentors:  
The Future of Rural team is composed of accomplished leaders who are also founders and directors of their own organizations, bringing extensive experience in education, community development, and regenerative systems work. 

Position Placeholder

Organization

Portland, Maine 
Position is hybrid 

About the Host Organization: 
 

About the Fellowship position: 
In 2025, ClimateWork Maine (CWM) will create, implement, manage, and in future years, expand and enhance the Maine CABIN, a Statewide climate support service system. CWM was created for this very purpose – to help Maine businesses grow and succeed in a carbon-constrained economy. This is a bold, comprehensive, effective, and inclusive project that will engage and connect small businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities with resources needed to grow and succeed and strengthen partnerships within Maine’s environmental ecosystem while confronting the climate crisis head-on.  

The UNHSI Fellow will be a critical team member to help launch the statewide program, and will assist our new Program Manager in outreach and communications related to the Maine CABIN, including development of an online resource to help connect users to information, experts, and resources that will help them grow and succeed in a carbon-constrained economy. 

Outcomes: 
The UNHSI Fellow will assist ClimateWork Maine with developing an online resource library for its member companies, including the following: 

• A catalog of immediate and tangible actions businesses can take to reduce carbon in their buildings, vehicles and purchasing.
• Resources on how climate change relates to their business and how to measure their climate emissions.
• Financing opportunities for new equipment, emission-reducing technologies, development of low-carbon solutions (e.g., electricity, heating, electric vehicles, efficient machinery).
• Accessible information on state & federal rebates or incentives.
• Practical examples – from within and outside of Maine - of how businesses are implementing low-carbon technologies and reducing emissions across their supply chains. 

The UNHSI Fellow will assist ClimateWork Maine in developing an online and electronic distributable newsletter with information, news articles, and other resources and updates to its member companies. The UNH Fellow will support the Program Manager to develop a communications plan for regular communications, including newsletters, social media marketing, and interactions with the media, seminars, regional meetings, and/or large summits toward the goal of engaging a larger audience of businesses to work on climate change. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Strong research, communications, and computer skills and an interest in working with the business community on climate-related issues.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communications skills, with the ability to present information clearly and effectively. 
• Self-motivated with an ability to work independently and with teams and an ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and seek direction when needed. 
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) experience is essential. Experience with web site management is also desired.
• A strong entrepreneurial drive, outstanding communication skills, and good planning and organizational skills. 
• Background or interest in the areas of climate change, energy, sustainability, and/or environmental issues is desired, with a comfort level with applying data analysis. 
• Ability to work collaboratively both internally and with organizational partners.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and preference for working in a fast- paced environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, commitment to quality, and ability to manage sensitive materials in a confidential manner.
• A deep commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of ClimateWork Maine. 

Location:
ClimateWork Maine, 44 Quebec Street, #3, Portland, Maine 04101 

Work will be performed mostly remote, with a physical location to go to when necessary. The role will also include networking, information, and other events.  

Mentors:  
Jeff Marks, Executive Director  
Sophie Piette, Program Manager