We've been bringing summer fellows into the N.C. Chapter for a long time. They've filled a variety of roles with our staff, supporting our legislative lobbying, helping out with communications, and researching new environmental threats, to name a few.
This year, we're doing something new. All four of this year's fellows are working on a single project: researching and presenting a comprehensive argument for making confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) a national priority issue for the Sierra Club. Their work will also help strengthen the Chapter's community engagement and advocacy on this critical issue.
CAFOs have long presented threats to environmental and public health thanks due to the industry’s refusal to update its dangerous and antiquated system of managing animal waste. Industry groups hold great sway with our state legislature, which means community groups, environmental organizations and other parties have been unable to persuade lawmakers to make CAFOs safer for people, air, water and land. The reluctance of North Carolina policymakers to force CAFOs to modernize is an injustice for people who live where these farms have located, and a menace to communities and the environment across the region.
We are grateful and excited that the Chapter and this fight will benefit from our fellows' research, new ideas and fresh perspectives. The fellows will also get opportunities to learn about other Chapter priorities, including our state's transition to a clean energy economy, our "Green Roads" initiative to clean up the transportation sector, climate resiliency, public lands protection, and more.
Be sure to say hello if you see our fellows out and about, and thank them for the fine work they're doing for us!
Chandler Allred, UNC-Pembroke (he/him)
As a Tuscarora man and, particularly, as a member of the Beaver clan, the work that the Sierra Club does is very important to me. Beaver clan people are from the water clans of Tuscarora people, and we have a deep sense of connection to our waterways and a strong desire to protect them. Growing up in a rural community in North Carolina, I have experienced the beauty that is nature. Throughout my life, I have frequently hiked in the pine and cypress forests and gone swimming in the lakes, rivers, sounds, and beaches. It is my and others' duty to protect these sacred spaces for the next generations to come.
I received my bachelor's degree in History and American Indian Studies from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. This fall, I'll start work at East Carolina University on my Master of Arts in History. I plan to use my education and my Tuscarora heritage to pursue environmental equality and equity. I believe in reintroducing historic Tuscarora ecological practices to help Tuscarora and other Indigenous communities in North Carolina maintain a safe and harmonious connection with their environment.
I'm excited to be a Vidiri-Futuro Fellow with the Sierra Club this summer and to learn more about CAFOs in North Carolina and their impact on Indigenous communities.
Tashi Choden, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University (she/her)
I am from Bhutan and in the United States on a Fulbright Scholarship to work on a Masters' degree in International Development Policy. Previously, I spent six years working in the Royal Government of Bhutan under various roles encompassing socio-economic development planning.
I am thrilled to be working with a leading environmental organization this summer. The majority of my professional experience lies in research, planning and management, focusing on strategic national plan formulation and coordination.
From that vantage point, I always felt the need to work with grassroots-level contributors, which is why I am confident that this experience with the N.C. Chapter will be transformative, allowing me to contribute to the cause I am deeply passionate about – protecting our planet. I am particularly excited to learn more about and contribute to the fight against CAFOs.
The mission towards sustainable development pursued by organizations including the Sierra Club has always enriched me with knowledge about the world and my surroundings. My inspiration emanates from various pieces of fictional and non-fictional literature in which nature is the subject, and through which many others draw perceptive knowledge. This realization complements my origins, where every Bhutanese grows up with a substantial awareness of the environment and its importance to our society, religion, culture, and economy.
I look forward to bringing my perspective as a foreign student whilst learning more about the myriad of environmental problems in the United States.
Logan Steinike, Duke University School of Law (he/him)
I'm Logan Steinike, an aspiring environmental advocate currently pursuing a Juris Doctor degree. I'm privileged to contribute my skills to an organization that shares my values of environmental stewardship and community engagement while learning more about what it means to be an environmental advocate.
As a Sierra Club Environmental Justice & Policy Fellow, I am involved in impactful projects addressing the detrimental effects of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) on marginalized communities, particularly in rural areas. As part of my fellowship, I am actively engaged in legal research and policy analysis to raise awareness about the specific harms experienced by communities, and the limited legal and legislative avenues to combat the harm.
Together with the N.C. Sierra Club and other environmental organizations, I strive to empower these communities by amplifying their voices, advocating for policy changes that promote stricter regulations on CAFOs, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize environmental and community well-being. By addressing the intersection of environmental justice and food production, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future.
Beyond my professional pursuits, I enjoy exploring record stores to find the next elusive album on my list and embarking on extended day-hiking trips, driven by my quest to visit all the national parks.
Tamara Wood, Shaw University (she/her)
This summer, I am grateful to have a fellowship with the Sierra Club to advocate for solutions to issues that affect our environment and, most importantly, people who are directly harmed. Growing up in The Bronx, New York, along with being a first-generation college student, I learned the importance of advocacy through my own life experiences. I’ve witnessed firsthand how environmental injustices impact marginalized communities. Injustices such as environmental pollution and lack of access to clean air, water and other resources not only harm the environment, but also perpetuate systemic inequalities. This fellowship has provided me with an incredible opportunity to raise awareness and fight to bring an end to these injustices.
Through this fellowship, I aim to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced and overlooked while inspiring others to use their voices to fight for what they believe. With a background in Sociology, I strive to learn how we can better our society as it constantly evolves, and I am excited to be learning alongside like-minded individuals that share similar professional values. I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of conserving and protecting our environment.
I expect to graduate from Shaw University in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. In the future, I hope to continue my advocacy by pursuing a career in the legal field.