Tuesday, August 06, 2019

UNCW senior Julianna Tresca is one of seven students selected as a Rachel Carson Campus Fellow.

The Rachel Carson Council Fellowship Program provides students the skills to work on sustainability and justice issues and prepare them to become lifelong advocates for the environment. Fellows are competitively selected from RCC campuses, and will receive a $2,000 stipend to engage in environmental organization and advocacy work on campus and in the community. The 2019-2020 fellows were chosen from campuses in North Carolina and Virginia.

Tresca plans to partner with UNCW’s Beekeepers Club, Hawks Harvest Student Food Pantry, geology lecturer Roger Shew and environmental sciences associate professor Anthony Snider to build a sustainable produce garden, operated by students, by starting a service club. A UNCW survey in 2018 revealed that at least 14% of UNCW students are food insecure. In January 2019, the UNCW Office of Student Leadership and Engagement opened Hawks Harvest food pantry for students.

“I plan on using this unique position to break down the stigma and shame associated with food insecurity,” said Tresca, who is studying geology and environmental sciences. “It is okay to ask for help when you need it, and hopefully I can help fill this need on my own campus. By doing so, we can set an example for other universities to follow."

-- Venita Jenkins
#CAS
#SA