Chesapeake Conservation Corps Intern Highlight: Avery Farrell

August 2022

Howard County Office of Community Sustainability wants to give a big thanks to our 2021-2022 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Intern Avery Farrell!
The Chesapeake Conservation Corps (CCC) is a program run through the Chesapeake Bay Trust that increases access and opportunities to green careers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Corps places individuals (ages 18-25), many of whom are recent college graduates, with nonprofit or government agencies for a one-year internship.
In August 2021, Avery began her Chesapeake Conservation Corps internship at the Office of Community Sustainability. Since then, she has worked on and spearheaded a wide range of projects including:
  • Mentored Youth Climate Institute’s Energy Team
  • Developed and administered a multi-language Climate Change Emergency Preparedness Survey
  • Wrote reports, conducted research, and collected data for the County’s LEED for Cities Application
  • Organized and led multiple LED light bulb exchanges at locations such as Manor Hill Brewery, Howard County Conservancy, and Greenfest
  • Assisted in the ongoing efforts of updating Howard County’s Climate Action Plan
  • Collected data for Howard County’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment
  • Assisted OCS staff in planting trees and pollinator gardens
  • Developed educational and display materials on energy efficiency

Reflecting on her experience, Avery says her favorite parts were mentoring students in the Youth Climate Institute, assisting with the Climate Action Plan, and having an awesome mentor!

“Mentoring young and motivated students…was an exciting experience and a little different from the typical office work. It felt rewarding knowing [that these students may] become our future activists, innovators, and leaders in climate action,” said Avery.

Despite being a challenge, Avery has also enjoyed the ongoing efforts to update Howard County’s Climate Action Plan. She appreciated the ability to integrate her passion for helping others by spearheading the Climate Change Emergeny Preparedness Survey. The information provided by the survey will help Howard County residents prepare for and adapt to climate change and extreme weather.

“This work feels very fulfilling knowing that [it] will help increase equitable climate action in the county,” said Avery.

Finally, Avery is very grateful to her mentor throughout the internship: Leah Miller, Howard County’s Energy Manager.

“Leah is an amazing mentor that played a big part in helping me make the most of my time as a Chesapeake Conservation Corps member by providing me with guidance, encouragement, and support,” said Avery. “She has made my experience truly fulfilling.”

Through the past year Avery has learned valuable skills from both the Chesapeake Conservation Corps and the Office of Community Sustainability such as time management, building meaningful relationships, contributing to a team and using these building blocks to become successful in a career as well as in life in general. Avery says that the experience has equipped her with the skills needed to further her professional development journey.

Howard County Office of Community Sustainability is so grateful for Avery’s hard work over the past year. We are excited to announce that Avery will continue her work with the office as Climate Action Coordinator.