Furman University Sustainability Fellow Joins Endowment

Patrick Starr, a senior at Furman University, Greenville, SC, has been named the 2012-2013 David E. Shi Sustainability Fellow.  This fellowship will play out as  a year-long collaborative venture between Furman University and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment).  The fellowship is sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas under its Partners program.

Starr, from Atlanta, GA, is double majoring in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Political Science.  Patrick has found a niche in these two disciplines, focusing largely on environmental policy and law, as well as the impact that local, state, and national government agencies have on the environment.  “The Southeastern forests are my stomping ground,” Patrick said smiling, “I’m really excited to be working with an organization devoted to promoting forest health, maintenance, and protection.”  He continued, “My first project deals with watershed health and the positive impact that healthy, maintained forestland around a water source has on water availability and quality.”

In welcoming Patrick to his new role, Endowment President Carlton Owen said, “We couldn’t begin to do all we need to do in advancing the health of America’s forests and the rural residents who draw sustenance from them without the help of these dedicated young professionals.  We are especially grateful to Furman University and Piedmont Natural Gas for making Patrick available to us in this outstanding learning by doing partnership.”