Garden Fest is more than just an event—it’s a colorful, collaborative celebration where art meets activism, where music fills the air, and where the greater Wesleyan community comes together to celebrate spring!
Now in its third year, Garden Fest started as a senior thesis by environmental studies and English major Talia Zitner ’23 who dreamed up a non-traditional Earth Day honoring the many intersecting aspects of environmentalism. Since then, the tradition has been carried on by the Environmental Solidarity Network (ESN) and the student music collective The Shed, with co-sponsorship from the Bailey College of the Environment and others.
On Saturday, April 5, Wesleyan’s Beckham Hall became a hub of energy, inquiry, and collaboration as the Bailey College of the Environment co-hosted the second annual Connecticut River Valley Environmental Summit. The event, organized by the Connecticut River Museum and cosponsored by the Bailey COE, brought together a broad coalition of local voices—scientists, policymakers, academics, nonprofit leaders, and cultural institutions—all united by one shared goal: protecting the health of the region’s waterways for generations to come.
Between a series of insightful presentations, attendees mingled and spoke with the poster presenters lining the walls, which included Wesleyan students, professors, and marine science educators. The room buzzed with multi-disciplinary energy.
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to work in the Wesleyan Sustainability Office as a part of the Sustainable Middletown program, a small but energetic team composed of our Sustainability Director Jen Kleindienst, Professor Emeritus Krishna Winston, co-intern Tamira Le, and myself. Our team has spent the last year revising the Middletown Government Participation Guide, a publicly available document meant to remove barriers to civic engagement by providing residents with clear information about how the City government works, how to participate in public meetings, and how to sustain long-term involvement. By removing those barriers, we hope to empower Middletown residents to make their voices heard in local government.
Two weeks ago, I had the honor of hosting the launch of the newly updated Middletown Government Participation Guide alongside the Sustainable Middletown team and Mayor Ben Florsheim.
Pierre Gerard ’16 graduated from Wesleyan with a degree in environmental studies and earth and environmental science. He is currently the transportation planner at the City of Oakland Bicycle and Pedestrian Program in Oakland, California. We recently spoke with Pierre about his time at Wes and his post-Wes experience!
Can you walk me through how you got from Wesleyan graduation to where you are now? My first job out of college was an internship with the US Forest Service in Portland, Oregon. I worked out of their regional office for the Pacific Northwest, mostly performing GIS map work, making maps online. I did that for about six months, and eventually found my way over to a contract with Apple, working on Apple Maps––I did not like that. I moved over to another contract job doing more GIS work, decided that I didn’t like that either, and ended up quitting that job to work at a bike shop. And so my story, I think, is essentially me attempting to understand what it’s like to be a technical worker post college, and realizing that I didn’t like it and needed something else.
Earlier this semester, the Student Sustainability Internship Advice Panel in Boger Hall brought together students passionate about the planet…and about landing internship and fellowship opportunities that help protect it! Hosted by the Sustainability Office and the Gordon Career Center and moderated by B Frankenstein ’25 and Natalie Sweet ’25, the event featured three insightful panelists: Isadora Leviton ’25, Emma Hotchkiss ’25, and Jonah Yas ’25, who shared their unique paths to landing sustainability- and enviro-focused summer internships!
During this year’s Power of Language Week, Usdan was buzzing with conversation—not just about syntax or semantics, but about environmental justice.
As part of Wesleyan’s Student Sustainability Plan (SSP), a team of SSP interns hosted an interactive tabling event titled The Global Language of Environmental Justice. The goal? To spark dialogue about how environmental justice is understood and experienced around the world—and help students see how deeply language and justice are intertwined. We recently spoke with SSP intern Aishlinn Parrinello ’27 (ENVS/PSYC) about this year’s event!
The Bailey College of the Environment (COE) Research Fellowship Program allows current Wesleyan undergrads to undertake research on environmental topics under the guidance of a faculty mentor, either during the summer or during fall or spring semesters. Projects must relate to any of the broad themes covered by Environmental Studies and the Bailey COE. Fellowships are available to current Wesleyan juniors, sophomores and first-years, regardless of major, and may be undertaken at Wesleyan or anywhere in the world.
Application now closed!
Full summer research fellows will receive a total of $5000. Partial summer & fall or spring fellowships, also available. Deadline for all: February 24!
Last year, the Bailey COE awarded almost 40 fellowships to Wes students to pursue research opportunities on campus, across the country, and abroad. Learn more about the summer experiences of (from top left): Zoe Todd ’27, Kallan Tripician ’27, Ronan Costello ’25 (AMST, ENVS), Sadie Woodruff ’26 (BIOL, E&ES), Constance Hirwa (NS&B, PSYC), Ava Yuanshun Guralnick ’25 (AMST, ENGL), Jasmine Fridman ’25 (E&ES, STS), & Jeet Patel ’25 (E&ES), below!
Every academic year, the COE invites a small group of Wesleyan faculty and undergraduate students, plus a noted scholar from outside the University, to gather together for the Think Tank: a yearlong discussion of a critical environmental issue. The 2024-2025 Bailey COE Think Tank feature Sonia Sultan, Alan M. Dachs Professor of Science, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies; Justine Quijada, Associate Professor of Religion, Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, and Environmental Studies; and Garry Bertholf, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, alongside undergraduates Maryam Badr ’25, Hannah Podol ’25, and Nic Galleno, ’25. These University fellows will be joined by the 2024-2025 Menakka and Essel Bailey ‘66 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Roxy Coss: Jazz saxophonist and Founding President of the Women In Jazz Organization, as well as a Grammy-award winning musician, composer, educator and activist.
Environmental studies (ENVS) is the academic component of the Bailey COE. Offered as a linked major or minor, ENVS current and past students hail from almost every single department and program Wesleyan has to offer: from government, art, and chemistry to economics, English, and earth and environmental sciences to film studies, sociology, and biology. Meet some of our 40 ENVS class of 2025 majors below!
What brought you to the Bailey COE, and what kinds of contributions are you hoping to make here? I’m officially here for the Bailey COE Think Tank, continuing the tradition to include cross-disciplinary contributors. This year the theme is agency, and the three faculty fellows wanted an artist or musician to complete the team. There’s a biologist [Sonia Sultan], an anthropologist and religion scholar [Justine Quijada], and an African American studies and literature scholar [Garry Bertholf] on the faculty.
Every year, the Bailey COE awards fellowships to fund summer research opportunities for Wesleyan students across all majors and class years. Most recently, the COE awarded more than 40 fellowships to Wes students. Hanah Podol ‘25 is an environmental studies and anthropology major. For her summer project funded by the Bailey COE, she connected with the land through farming and writing.
This summer, the Bailey College of the Environment sponsored eight interns from Wesleyan University, the New London community, and Middletown High School to be a part of the Planting Seeds Internship Program. These interns were matched with four community organizations who have been working on issues of environmental and food justice in Connecticut. Day to day, they took on tasks alongside others at their sites, learning from each other about farming, community organizing, non-profit program development, and intergenerational action. Whether it was learning how to build a beehive or how to have a one-on-one meeting with a community member, the cohort was eager to develop new skills and make connections with new people.
(Pictured left to right: Christine Caruso, Arianna Riabov Hernandez, Chingun Tsogt-Erdene, Lennon Favreau, Malana Rogers-Bursen, Scott Kucsera, Lily Robbins, Mia-Lillian Powell, Sophia Karson, photo by Reggy St. Fortcolin)
The program kicked off with an introductory webinar on June 7, where interns could get acquainted with site supervisors before they arrived, as well as each other in the Planting Seeds cohort. Starting on June 30, the Planting Seeds team gathered for weekly Monday workshops facilitated by Malana Rogers-Bursen (Project Director of Food Security, Environmental Justice and Sustainability at BCOE) and Dr. Christine Caruso (Professor of the Practice and Associate Director of Community Engagement at BCOE). In these weekly workshops, interns got to share with each other about their experiences at their sites, and talk about how each organization’s work fit into the larger statewide movement for environmental and food justice. Workshop topics included food systems, social justice, community organizing, and youth participatory action research & evaluation. Each Monday was hosted at a different location, offering each intern a chance to see and work at each site, and the organizations a chance to meet the cohort.
Interns attend a workshop at Keney Park Sustainability Project in Hartford(photo by Malana Rogers-Bursen)
Office of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Services at Middletown Public Schools
Mia-Lillian Powell and Issy Simpson worked at Middletown Public Schools, working with Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Services. They participated in designing school meal menus, proposing and testing culturally appropriate recipes to be used in the upcoming school year. The interns also gained hands-on growing experience by building and maintaining school gardens in the city. Creating promotional and educational materials for both the school cafeterias and gardens was also a key aspect of their internships.
“This internship was so meaningful to me because I went from knowing almost nothing about food systems to realizing how deeply food justice touches our everyday lives. Helping plan the lunches I eat, creating posters for our schools, building gardens for younger students, and even seeing my classmates enjoy their meals made me realize that food isn’t just about eating, it’s about inclusivity, community, and care.”
– Mia-Lillian Powell, Middletown High School Student at Middletown Public Schools
“For my planting seeds internship, I worked at Middletown Public Schools. We worked on building new gardens at some of the schools, as well as revamping some existing ones. As well as this, we worked with the kitchen staff to brainstorm new nutritious recipes to be added onto the school menu, and sometimes got the opportunity to help in the kitchen. My experience at this internship not only grew my understanding of the inner workings of public schools, but also allowed me to develop a love for gardening, which is something I had always wanted to explore more.”
– Issy Simpson, Wesleyan Student at Middletown Public Schools
“Having Issy and Mia with us through the Planting Seeds Program this summer was an incredible experience for our schools. Their creativity, dedication, and passion for food and education shined through in every project. They not only supported our gardens and nutrition education, but also brought fresh ideas and energy that inspired both our team and our students. The Planting Seeds Program truly helps us bridge the gap between classroom learning and hands-on food education.”
– Randall Mel, Director of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Services at Middletown Public Schools
(Interns at FRESH New London, photo by Vetiveah Immanuel)
F.R.E.S.H. New London
Yesly Jimenez, Sophia Karson, Arianna Hernandez, and Scott Kucsera worked with FRESH New London this summer, a food justice non-profit dedicated to creating food system change through local agriculture, community engagement, and youth leadership empowerment. The four Planting Seeds interns supported the organization’s programming on both hands-on farming and administrative ends—specifically through the youth crew program, the “Pay What You Can farm stand,” and the Food to People pantry.
“This summer, I was allowed to work at FRESH New London, a non-profit organization that focuses on food justice. I learned a lot about agriculture and the various ways politics impact food inequality. I am very grateful that I got to know more about these topics at FRESH, where everyone is dedicated to helping create a better future for the next generation, and where the staff truly cares about hearing from the youth and their perspectives. The entire staff, including the youth, was dedicated, welcoming, and highly talented. I could not have chosen a better place to spend the summer and cannot wait to see how FRESH continues to grow!”
– Yesly Jimenez, Wesleyan Student at FRESH New London
“This past summer I had the opportunity to intern at F.R.E.S.H. New London, and working at F.R.E.S.H. was a truly inspiring and rewarding experience. During my time at F.R.E.S.H, I was able to deepen my understanding of farming, food justice, and community-driven change, working alongside a great team of people who share a passion for food sovereignty and social justice. From growing food for the local New London community to supporting in teaching the political education curriculum alongside F.R.E.S.H’s youth leaders, I gained valuable skills as an educator and organizer, while learning about the power of working collectively towards a more just food system. I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to F.R.E.S.H. New London and am lucky to have been part of the New London community this summer. Thank you to all the members of F.R.E.S.H. and New London for this vibrant experience, and I look forward to carrying these lessons forward in the fight for food advocacy and political justice.”
– Sophia Karson, Wesleyan Student at FRESH New London
“The Planting Seeds internship program offered by Wesleyan University truly enriched FRESH’s growing season this summer, both logistically and creatively. It cannot be understated that due to funding cuts, FRESH has had to be extremely strategic in stretching our funds to continue our programming at the same capacity and quality. The Planting Seeds Internship was a logistical life-saver because it allowed us to retain our capacity for the workload (by adding 2 interns and financing the jobs of our 2 Jr. Staff partners) needed during this grueling growing season. The Planting Seeds team supported us with food distribution in New London from food-to harvest-to processing-to watching the food leave in the hands of a happy community member. Creatively, though, they may have contributed even more. This cohort was a key part of the planning process that structured our summer youth program. Our summer theme was Building a Critical, Revolutionary Mindset, and the different experiences and expertise brought in by the team made our workshops what they were. They co-facilitated, archived materials, and helped us debrief all of the work we did this summer, and we couldn’t have done it without them. HONESTLY!”
– Chloë Nuñez, Senior Program Manager at FRESH New London
(Photos by Lennon Favreau, taken at New Britain ROOTS)
New Britain ROOTS
Lennon Favreau spent her summer at New Britain ROOTS, a food justice non-profit committed to making food system change through local agriculture, youth leadership empowerment, and community engagement. Through her internship, Lennon got farming experience with the youth program to maintain over a dozen gardens in the city. She also was integral to the launch of the organization’s community fridge project, as well as the continuation of their mobile market.
“My time working at New Britain ROOTS was incredibly special, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. While at ROOTS I was able to engage and interact with the New Britain community and connect with members through a shared love of fresh food. Interactions came in the form of selling produce at various farmers markets throughout the city, substituting at summer school, and doing garden work all around New Britain. Through weeding, harvesting, teaching, learning, or selling, I was able to grow my understanding of CT food systems. A major highlight for me this summer was taking care of the bees at ROOTS and learning about beekeeping with my supervisor, Jenna. She showed me how they get fed sugar water each week, how to rotate their trays, and how to calm them with smoke! I feel extremely grateful to have come across ROOTS. I am thankful for the people that are a part of this organization, for the community members of New Britain, and for those at Wesleyan and the College of the Environment for creating an opportunity like this for their students.”
– Lennon Favreau, Wesleyan student at New Britain ROOTS
“This summer, ROOTS hosted a Planting Seeds Intern from Wesleyan University. Our intern was able to plug into our diverse programs, and directly applied what she was learning in her summer class to our food justice work in New Britain. Lennon brought creativity, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness to our worksite, and helped us successfully launch our Community Fridge Program. Her presence added capacity to our work, and her food-justice lens was a valuable asset to our community programs.”
– Jenna Van Donselaar, Program Manager at New Britain ROOTS
(Pictured left to right: Herb Virgo and Chingun Tsogt-Erdene, photo by Malana Rogers-Bursen)
Keney Park Sustainability Project, Hartford
Chingun Tsogt-Erdene worked at Keney Park Sustainability Project in Hartford, focusing on creating a business plan that would support the organization’s future plans and generate sustainable revenue. Through working at the city farmers market and the project’s milling site, he supported the organization’s community-engaged programming during his internship.
“My internship at the Keney Park Sustainability Project (KPSP) was a rewarding and eye-opening experience. I supported their efforts to generate sustainable revenue through volunteer engagement and urban wood utilization, while also working on smaller projects like organizing their websites, creating a Google Sheets system to track sales and purchases, and the farmers’ market. One of the highlights was visiting the milling site, where I got to see the process of sawing and drying tree slabs up close. That visit gave me a much deeper appreciation for the work being done on-site and connected me more closely to KPSP’s mission. I really enjoyed meeting the staff and volunteers. The passion everyone had for their work was inspiring and showed me how much impact a nonprofit can create with dedication and creativity. This internship has helped me grow in several important ways. It gave me a better understanding of how nonprofits operate, the critical role volunteers play, and the balance organizations must strike between mission and sustainability. The Monday workshops with other interns were also great learning experiences. The discussions at the workshops pushed me to reflect on real social issues and stay open to new perspectives. Altogether, this experience deepened my interest in mission-driven work. Looking ahead, I hope to continue supporting KPSP’s goals as a volunteer and remain engaged in sustainability and community-based projects. This internship has been a great step in my growth, and I am grateful to have been a part of it.”
– Chingun Tsogt-Erdene, Wesleyan student at Keney Park Sustainability Project
Reflecting and Expanding Our Reach
As their internships came to an end, the cohort met one final time at the BCOE in Middletown, taking a tour of campus and spending time reflecting on their experiences in the program. Interns identified what worked and what could be improved about the Planting Seeds program, offering feedback that will shape future iterations of the program and help it grow. The BCOE is excited to continue working with sites across CT in Summer 2026 and building intergenerational partnership. It’s an opportunity to keep building meaningful statewide relationships between community organizations, Wesleyan students and community youth who are passionate about moving towards food and environmental justice together.
