Dan Lee
He/him/his
Policy Intern
He/him/his
Policy Intern
Read articles written by Daniel
Dan joined Audubon Vermont as a Policy Intern during his final semester at the Vermont Law School while pursuing his Juris Doctorate and Master of Environmental Law and Policy. An Ohio native, Dan attended the University of Cincinnati earning a B.S. in Environmental Studies, minoring in Political Science. When able to escape his desk, Dan can be found hiking, skiing, fishing, learning the guitar, or front-row stage-right wherever great music is played.
While Dan was instantly infatuated with the natural splendor found only in Vermont, his love and dedication to nature sprouted from Boy Scouting where he earned the rank of Eagle. Aspiring to “leave his campsite cleaner than the way he found it,” he determined law and policy provided the best tools to achieve his professional objectives: achieving sustainability and conserving the natural environment so those in the future can enjoy it as much as he has.
Thomas Patti
Environmental Policy Intern Fall 2022 & Conservation Intern Summer 2022 He/him/his
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Thomas (he/him) is a recent graduate of Brown University, where he studied environmental science and English. He developed his passions for birds, conservation, and writing from an early age, while wandering the suburban woods of Newton, Massachusetts. Ultimately, Thomas is interested in merging all of these interests into a career in environmental research and communication. He aspires to tell the stories of the people, places, and processes that define New England’s unique position in the context of environmental change. Experiences in ecological research, science journalism, and environmental education have reinforced this goal. When he’s not looking at birds for work, Thomas enjoys looking at birds for fun, along with playing basketball and watching horror films.
Yi-Lan Tseo
Environmental Policy Intern Fall 2022
She/her/hers
Yi-Lan is a current student at Middlebury College, where she is majoring in International Studies and Global Environmental Change. She was born in Pennsylvania but spent the summers of her childhood in Beijing, China, where she would run around lily ponds and chase Tree Sparrows. Although her interest in environmental conservation started when she was little, it came to fruition when she arrived at Middlebury, Vermont, and got to experience the full wonders of the natural world. Ultimately, Yi-Lan aspires to be an environmental lawyer and hopes to apply her love of birds and nature to larger problems of environmental justice and climate degradation in the future. When she's not in the office, you can find Yi-Lan on hikes with her friends, practicing her cooking, or soaking up some sun in a hammock!
Linnea Tootsov
Environmental Policy Intern, Spring 2022
she/her/hers
Linnea grew up in Randolph, New Jersey and has always had a love for animals and the outdoors. She loves skiing, camping, travelling, and spending time in nature, especially at the beach or amongst the trees. She attended the University of Vermont for her undergraduate degree and graduated in May of 2021 with a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies. She began studying for her Masters of Environmental Law and Policy at Vermont Law School in the fall of 2021 and will be graduating in May of 2022. She is passionate about climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, and shifting towards sustainable food systems. In her free time, she loves spending time with her pet rabbit Butters who has been her partner in crime throughout her time at school! She is excited about working with Audubon Vermont to develop her skills in the policy sector and help realize positive changes in the Vermont landscape.
Where are they now? Linnea is a recent graduate of Vermont Law and Graduate School with a Master's of Environmental Law and Policy.
Monica Diaz
Environmental Policy Intern, Spring 2022
she/her/hers
Monica is a recent graduate of Amherst College, where she majored in biology. While in college, she assisted in research projects involving birds, specifically Tree Swallows and Black-capped Chickadees. Although she lives in New York now, she spent her childhood in southern Florida and was drawn from an early age to the tropical wildlife there, spending countless hours observing animals such as anole lizards, monarch butterflies, and hermit crabs.
Sofia Benito Alston
Environmental Policy Intern, Spring 2021
she/her/hers
Sofia was born and raised in Madrid, Spain, and moved to Vermont a couple of years ago. She is a senior at the University of Vermont studying wildlife conservation, with a focus on both science and policy and a minor in chemistry. She has always had a love for the outdoors and has made sure to have a hobby for every season of the year, whether it’s hiking, kayaking or skiing. Anything to get her out of the house and moving around. Sofia is excited to gain experience on how non-profit policy works alongside the legislature and the roles the science and education branch have within that.
Caroline Crowell
Environmental Policy Intern, Spring 2021
she/her/hers
View articles written by Caroline
View articles written by Caroline
Caroline is from Chatham, New York, where she grew up spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and skiing. Her love of nature has only grown since then, and she is now an undergraduate student at Barnard College studying environmental sustainability and political science. She is excited to be a part of the Audubon VT policy team, an opportunity that combines her passion for conservation and politics. Caroline loves spending time outdoors, playing with her dogs, and ski racing on the Columbia ski team (during non-Covid times!).
Alec Bolinsky
he/him/his
Environmental Policy Intern, Fall 2020
Alec is a 3rd-year environmental law student at Vermont Law School and graduated from Wilkes University with a B.A. in Political Science. Alec joined Audubon Vermont because of its commitment to environmental justice and wildlife conservation. He is inspired to protect and assist those who may be at risk for displacement or becoming a climate refugee due to environmental impacts of climate change. Alec plans to apply my political science background to the environmental policy-based field to build a healthy inclusive future for the citizens of the world.
Lewis Grove
Environmental Policy Research Intern, Spring 2019
Lewis Grove is a former Audubon Vermont Policy Intern (spring 2019), a recent graduate of Vermont Law School, and a resident of Waterbury, VT. Lewis is a long-time and passionate birder with experience in bird research at Penn State University, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Lauren Saylor
Environmental Policy Research Intern, Summer 2020
I am a rising 3rd-year environmental law student at Vermont Law School and a recent graduate of Ithaca College with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Public and Community Health. While I was at Ithaca, I researched the presence of pathogens in hydroponic and aquaponic food systems. Through my research, numerous courses, and interactions with faculty I have learned the importance of having a broad perspective in the fight against climate change. I fully apply myself to the words of Jane Goodall in this fight; "You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." At Audubon Vermont, I intend to apply myself to Jane's wise words while I learn more about how climate change impacts birds. Upon graduation from Vermont Law School, I intend to use my Masters in Environmental Law and Policy and J.D. in Environmental Law to spend every day fighting against climate change as an advocate, especially for those most vulnerable.
Mariah Harrod
Environmental Policy Research Intern, Summer 2020
I grew up in a region many environmentalists deem politically unsalvageable, but Kentucky was less homogenous than outsiders readily perceive. Living in coal country, we were pummeled by policies undermining ecosystems and damaging public health. Bearing witness to the injustice inflicted upon Appalachia, the industrial pollution in our communities, and the degradation of the region’s rich biodiversity made rebels of many of us. Being surrounded by such beauty so at odds with such devastation pushed me to join local lobbying organizations and study environmental systems in college. There I found ethical frameworks for environmentalism and methods of effectively communicating the problems we face and how we might shift the tide. It was then, too, that I decided policy work would be the most efficient and impactful method for that transition. I came to Vermont to earn my JD in environmental law and better implement ethical policies. Working with Audubon, I provide support to political influencers to shape statewide laws that in turn shape the environment in which we live.
Jenille Scott
Environmental Policy Intern, Spring 2020
“No me olvides” which translates to “don’t forget me” were the words spoken to me by a community member in Heredia, Costa Rica during my second year of the International Baccalaureate program at the United World College of Costa Rica. This service project experience formed the basis for my desire to pursue a career in the environmental field. I am a recent graduate of Bryn Mawr College with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Political Science. Through numerous courses and programs, I have learnedthe importance of understanding climate change science and incorporating this science into policies. My long-term goal is to use my international experience to work on the development of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies for small island nations. At Audubon Vermont, I hope to gain experience in environmental policy development and to learn more about the impacts of climate change on birds.
Where are they now? Jenille now works for The Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership and coordinates Elemental Excelerator's Empowering Diverse Climate Talent (EDICT) Internship Program.
Jessica Debski
Environmental Policy Intern, Spring 2020
Jessica joined Audubon Vermont in January as an Environmental Policy Intern. This is her final year at Vermont Law School, where she is pursuing a Juris Doctor and Masters of Environmental Law and Policy. Jessica is a lifelong New Englander, hailing from Salem Massachusetts, where she grew up exploring historic towns and hiking through salt marshes. Before cracking open casebooks at Vermont Law School, Jessica worked for Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) and, before that, the City of Beverly. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in geography and English from Salem State University. Her research focused on fossil fuel divestment, marine spatial planning, and environmental justice. Jessica lives in Royalton with her partner Lizzie, and their rescued husky-mix, Holly. She enjoys gardening, hiking, collecting antique maps, and drinking iced coffee year-round.
Chaveli Miles
Environmental Policy Intern, Fall 2019
Chaveli is from Shelburne, Vermont. She is a recent graduate from Colgate University where she received her B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies. As an undergraduate student, she worked as a student intern at Colgate University’s Office of Sustainability. Through this internship and her coursework, she learned how technology could be used as a powerful tool for understanding the complex relationship between society and the environment. After college, she returned to Vermont to begin working as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist in Vermont’s Agency of Digital Services. At Audubon Vermont, she hopes to gain experience in environmental policy to better understand how to use GIS to aid in wildlife conservation efforts.
Erik Sievert
Environmental Policy Intern, Fall 2019
Erik graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2014 with a degree in Government. He then went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Vermont in 2018. As a graduate student, much of Erik’s research focused on water quality, natural resource management, and climate resiliency planning in Vermont. While in graduate school, Erik interned with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Clean Water Initiative Program. Prior to joining Audubon Vermont, he gained experience in the Statehouse working as a policy advocate with the government and public affairs firm Necrason Group. Erik currently resides in Burlington and spends his free time skiing, playing ice hockey, and performing music with his two local bands.
Related
Youth Conservation Leadership Program
Audubon Fellow Alumni
Thanks to several funding opportunities and local partnerships, Audubon Vermont has been able to offer in-depth fellowships to emerging conservation professionals.
Youth Conservation Leadership Program
Environmental Conservation Intern Alumni
Helping increase capacity for our conservation initiatives that protect birds and the places they need to survive.
How you can help, right now
Donate to Audubon
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