Van Trat Named 2023 Richard M. Sargent Intern

Training future environmental leaders is an integral part of our work. We pride ourselves on offering a meaningful, active experience that expands both their résumés and perspectives. In turn, our interns and fellows infuse bring their youthful energy and enthusiasm to our organization. Each year one outstanding intern is chosen as the Richard M. Sargent Intern. This year, that intern is Van Trat.

Amber says, "Van’s passion for sharing the natural world with kids was obvious from the start. She had the experience and enthusiasm we needed to strengthen our burgeoning Pollinator Program, and recognizing her with the Sargent Award is a well-deserved honor. I am thrilled that thanks to the support of a couple who have been longtime members of The Land Conservancy, we are now able to hire her as our full-time Education Manager. Van is already doing a great job reaching out to new partners and developing additional curriculum so we can empower even more students to become ambassadors of the outdoors."

The Land Conservancy established the Richard M. Sargent, Jr. Internship in 2007 as a sustainable, ongoing internship to hire students to work with our staff, which benefits both the students and The Land Conservancy. This fund provides us with a steady source of funds to attract talented college students to help accomplish our mission of preserving open space lands and protecting water resources in New Jersey.

Dick Sargent was a dedicated conservationist who served on The Land Conservancy of New Jersey’s board of trustees for more than a decade. Dick’s energetic devotion to the outdoors was embodied in his work, and he used his corporate background to support our land preservation efforts. Dick spent his entire career working for the Chubb Corporation, where his lifelong interest in education led to his position as president and CEO of the Chubb Institute.

Congratulations, Van, for carrying on the legacy!