By: Kimberly Pelosi, Policy Intern, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
Over the course of the past three months, I have had the valuable opportunity to work with the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) team as their 2021 Policy Intern. Before joining CDRW, I graduated from Rutgers University where I studied Environmental Policy, but having spent the last five years of my postgraduate life working in an entirely different field, I wondered if I would be able to acclimate to this role, or whether this experience would prove beneficial in helping me steer my career back towards the environmental world.
Fortunately, I can say this internship has proven beneficial in several ways. In working to advance CDRW’s policy priorities, I am relieved that my projects encompass so much more than just busy work. I am often provided with a considerable amount of control over the direction to take with each project, and always feel invited to identify, for myself, unique ways to contribute to CDRW’s policy goals. This has not only allowed me to tailor the internship to fit my interests, but has further developed my leadership skills- refining my ability to really take initiative on different projects.
Another rewarding aspect of my internship with CDRW has been the opportunity to work with their array of delightful partners. This not only resulted in a valuable networking opportunity, but experiencing the unique perspectives from different members on watershed issues, learning about the unique strategies each member takes on advocacy efforts, and having the opportunity to collaborate on projects with a diverse group of stakeholders has made this experience that much more illuminating, much more so than if I was just bound to one organization.
One of my favorite parts about this experience has been the opportunity to represent CDRW during the biweekly Flood Defense New Jersey calls, where NJ-based non-profits convene to discuss efforts to protect NJ communities from damaging floods and stormwater pollution, with a particular emphasis placed on efforts to help NJ municipalities implement stormwater utilities. It has been interesting and informative to observe how stakeholders leading these efforts are interacting to achieve their goals, and there have been various instances where I have been able to identify resource needs and directly contribute to these efforts.
Another project I enjoyed putting together was a resource advancing CDRW’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) priority, developed specifically for our New York State member organizations located in the rural Upper Delaware region, outlining possible ways for these members to weave DEIJ into their policy goals. This project required a fairly in-depth analysis of the Upper Delaware region itself- determining its economic and demographic characteristics, as well as relevant local and state policies in place. Once a broad snapshot of the region was established, I expanded my research to other areas of the country with similar characteristics, identifying any policies, programs, and tools that have proven successful, while providing recommendations on how those model examples might be applied to the Upper Delaware region.
Many of the projects I contributed to, while developing creative problem-solving and research skills, provided me with the opportunity to think about environmental solutions through an equity lens, and ultimately reinforced the notion that we cannot achieve environmental sustainability without also addressing social and economic justice.
Overall, I always felt part of the CDRW team, and rarely felt like just an intern. I believe this more interactive way of participating led to a more comprehensive understanding on my end of the complex policy issues that impact the Delaware River Watershed, and how campaign strategies are identified, shaped, and implemented. My experience with CDRW has been skill-building and deeply engaging, to say the least, and would highly recommend to anyone looking to further their professional experience in conservation and/or advocacy.