FoHVOS and Outdoor Equity Alliance Launch College Internship Program with $50K Grant to Diversify Land Stewardship Workforce

EWING, N.J. -- Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) and the Outdoor Equity Alliance (OEA) have been awarded a Watershed Restoration and Community Engagement Program grant of $49,990 to establish a land stewardship internship program at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). This initiative addresses two important needs: diversifying the land stewardship workforce and enhancing the active stewardship of public and private lands in critical watersheds.

The internship program, funded by New Jersey Audubon through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, aims to make the conservation field more diverse and inclusive. Traditionally, land stewardship has been a profession with limited representation from non-white and first-generation students, who often don't have the same connections to land-based or family-related opportunities. This program seeks to change that by giving these students practical, hands-on experience and a pathway into the field.

Four first-generation, non-white students have been selected as interns for this pilot program. They will work on conservation efforts focused on land owned by TCNJ and Ewing Township, all within the Shabakunk Creek watershed. Their contributions will directly support the stewardship of local lands, which is vital to maintaining the quality of water draining into the Delaware River. Selected are Jalissa Colon of Guttenberg, majoring in civil engineering; Julian Delemos of Rutherford, majoring in public health; Katherine Zumba of Morristown, majoring in public health; and Myara Gomez of Roebling, journalism and professional writing.

“FoHVOS has been a leader in collaborating with our community to create impactful conservation,” FoHVOS Executive Director Jenn Rogers said. “This grant makes it possible for our stewardship team to expand our community-focused efforts in many exciting ways, including a new relationship with Ewing Township and creating a college level internship with OEA. Our goal is for this program to become a model for other New Jersey college and universities to integrate student empowered conservation planning and action into their campus.”

Through the program, students will learn valuable skills in areas such as native plant identification, GIS technology, data management, and conservation planning. They will also participate in professional development opportunities and network with industry leaders, opening doors for future careers in land stewardship.

“We are thrilled to partner with FoHVOS and TCNJ, and to work with such a passionate group of students who are eager to deepen their understanding of conservation,” said William Wilson, Executive Director of the Outdoor Equity Alliance. “At OEA, we are dedicated to inspiring a diverse new generation of environmental leaders. This collaboration not only provides students with valuable hands-on experience but also empowers them to contribute to the long-term sustainability and protection of our local environment.”  

The interest from two key landowners, TCNJ and Ewing Township, marks a major step forward for environmental stewardship in the community. Ewing Mayor Bert H. Steinmann praised the collaboration, saying, “We're excited to strengthen our partnership with the College, and this internship program will encourage students to explore and engage with the Ewing community beyond the campus. It’s a great opportunity that benefits both the students and the community.”

Interns and program leaders recently participated in an orientation to chart the course for the initiative, with great enthusiasm for what’s ahead. “We are thrilled for the TCNJ interns to learn from experts at FoHVOS and OEA as they join a new generation of land stewards with tools to shape conservation efforts on campus and across Ewing. These students bring an excitement to their work that will be sure to inspire others in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future,” said Wendy Clement, PhD, Chair, Department of Biology, TCNJ.

The $49,990 grant is part of a larger $228,000 award to projects that promote watershed restoration and community engagement. Leaders from FoHVOS and OEA hope this pilot program will serve as a model for other schools and municipalities to develop their own stewardship initiatives.

Pictured at the orientation meeting at TCNJ are from left, back row, Mike Van Clef, PhD, Stewardship Director at FoHVOS, Jenn Rogers, Executive Director, FoHVOS, intern Julian Delemos, Dr. Wendy Clement, William Wilson, Executive Director, OEA; front row, intern Jalissa Colon, intern Katherine Zumba, Elizabeth Reyes, program coordinator for OEA, Miriam Shakow, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and History at TCNJ; and Aaron T. Watson, co-founder of the Outdoor Equity Alliance and Ewing Township Business Administrator.

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About Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space

FoHVOS is an accredited non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving the Valley’s character by partnering with the community to preserve land, protect natural resources and inspire a new generation of conservation.

Since 1989, FoHVOS has preserved land for the benefit of people and nature. Today, our land trust manages nearly 3,000 acres of preserves and 17 miles of hiking trails - amenities that are the essence of Hopewell Valley’s rural character.  Our preserves provide critical habitat for more than 40 species of rare and state-listed plants and animals, protect the water quality of streams and rivers, and are home to nearly 1,000 acres of untouched old forest. Stewarding our preserves for enhanced biodiversity and healthy ecosystems is at the forefront of our efforts.

About Outdoor Equity Alliance

Based in Trenton, NJ, the Outdoor Equity Alliance (OEA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating equitable access to nature for all communities and inspiring a diverse new generation of environmental leaders. Through educational programs, workforce development, and community-driven initiatives, OEA seeks to bridge the gap in outdoor access and conservation opportunities for underserved populations. By fostering partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and environmental institutions, OEA empowers individuals to engage with the natural world while addressing pressing environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental justice, and sustainability. Our mission is to make nature accessible to everyone, ensuring that the benefits of the outdoors are shared by all, regardless of background or location.

For more information on the program, contact Jenn Rogers @This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.