This summer, 31 McKinney Climate Fellows—Indiana University undergraduate and graduate students interested in sustainability career experiences—spread out across the state to help Indiana and Midwest-based organizations advance climate and resilience goals.
Part of the IU Environmental Resilience Institute’s McKinney Midwest Climate Project, McKinney Climate Fellows (MCF) connects IU students with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits in need of sustainability support. From late May to early August, fellows contributed to a wide range of projects, including sustainability strategic planning, habitat restoration, community outreach, and more.
Check out the photos below to get a glimpse of how MCFers’ made their mark.
(Top left) Sydney Hargis collaborated with the operations team at The Indianapolis Children’s Museum to optimizing recycling practices, automating utility usage tracking, and gathering building data. (Top right) Isabel Hastings supported Save the Dunes in its mission to preserve one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the U.S. (Bottom) Daniela Castellanos (left), Morgan Flaugher, and Mary Grace Jacko helped connect rural Indiana communities to federal funding for sustainability projects through the Indiana Resilience Funding Hub.
The McKinney Climate Fellows program is administered by the IU Environmental Resilience Institute with support from IU's Integrated Program in the Environment. McKinney Climate Fellows is made possible by the McKinney Family Foundation, Honda USA, Herbert Simon Family Foundation, Energy Foundation, Rural Climate Partnership, and ERI donors.
About the Environmental Resilience Institute
Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute connects a broad coalition of government, business, nonprofit, and community leaders to help Indiana and the Midwest better prepare for the challenges of environmental change. Together, we integrate research, education, and community to create environmental resilience and climate solutions—building a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future. Learn more at eri.iu.edu.
About the Integrated Program in the Environment
Bringing together faculty, students and staff across 10 Indiana University schools, the Integrated Program in the Environment is a hub for academics, research, and activities focused on the environment. Administered by the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, the School of Public Health, and College of Arts and Sciences, IPE is preparing the next generation of environmental and sustainability leaders. Learn more at environment.indiana.edu.
