Current Leadership Grants

Following is a list of this year's Switzer Leadership Program Grants.  These grants are awarded to organizations working with a Switzer Fellow on projects that address critical environmental issues, increase the capacity of the organization to address the issue, and provide ample leadership development opportunities for the Switzer Fellow.

Year Two - Executive Director

Year Two - Executive Director
Maui, HI
$30,000

Meagan JonesWhale Trust received a second year of support for Meagan Jones as its first full-time Executive Director.  Meagan co-founded the organization in 2001 while getting her PhD, and began working full time after finishing her degree.  Meagan is leading the organization through the next phase of its growth and development after a successful previous year developing a strategic plan and fundraising plan.  Over the course of the next year, she will continue plans for the development of Whale Trust’s research and education center and continued exploration of collaboration opportunities with University of Hawaii-Maui College.

Transportation Planning for Climate Adaptation and Aquatic Connectivity

Transportation Planning for Climate Adaptation and Aquatic Connectivity
Keene Valley, NY
$35,190

Jessie LevineThe Adirondack Nature Conservancy has hired Jessie Levine as a consultant to develop a pilot program for funding the replacement and upgrade of road culverts to benefit aquatic species and habitat.  Working with state and local governments and ANC’s academic and NGO partners, Jessie will help local highway departments in the Adirondack region by developing cost-share programs to offset the costs of installing new culverts that are better adapted to more severe weather scenarios under a changing climate.  Culvert upgrades will help to ensure habitat connectivity for aquatic species and help to preserve the integrity of wetlands and waterways as severe storms and high water events become more common.  Jessie’s background in watershed management and environmental policy will provide needed expertise to complement ANC’s science and policy staff.

Cumulative Impacts and Sustainable Solutions: Central Valley Water

Cumulative Impacts and Sustainable Solutions: Central Valley Water
Visalia, CA
$40,000

Carolina BalazsCommunity Water Center (CWC) has hired Carolina Balazs as Research Scientist and Scientific Advisor.  Carolina will add scientific capacity to this grassroots advocacy organization to help inform its policy and planning efforts as it works to ensure that communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley have access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water.  The San Joaquin Valley is one of the country’s richest agricultural regions, yet it also has some of the most contaminated drinking water in the country.  Economically disadvantaged agricultural communities are disproportionately affected by the poor drinking water quality.  Carolina will generate and analyze scientific data and provide information for CWC’s activities and policy campaigns.  Her employment at CWC builds on years of dissertation research on Central Valley water issues, during which she worked closely with CWC.