Affiliates

Vassar-Kenauk Conservation Fellowship

Tamar Pichette ‘86 established the Vassar-Kenauk Conservation Fellowship with a generous donation in 2023. This two-year fellowship offers Vassar graduates hands-on experience in natural sciences, conservation management, and environmental education. Fellows spend part of their time at the Kenauk Institute, in Quebec, Canada, and part of their time working on the Preserve at Vassar.   The mission of the Kenauk Institute is to use scientific research and environmental education to ensure the legacy of this pristine wilderness for centuries to come.   

While at Vassar College, they work with the Director of the Environmental Cooperative and the Director of the Preserve to lead conservation projects and outreach initiatives on campus and in surrounding communities. At the Kenauk Institute, they participate in educational efforts, ecological research, and conservation management.  The Fellow helps to promote collaboration and sharing of ideas between the two institutions. 

Working with Others

The Environmental Cooperative strives to engage people in local conservation.  We work with and support a variety of local and regional organizations and networks to facilitate a diverse, holistic approach to environmental conservation and education.

Some of our current affiliates and collaborators include:

• Revive College Hill Park Coalition
• Fall Kill Watershed Coalition
• Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP)
• The Art Effect
• Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC)
• City of Poughkeepsie
• Town of Poughkeepsie
• Hudson River Estuary Program
• Scenic Hudson
• Climate Smart Task Force - Town of Poughkeepsie
• City of Poughkeepsie School District
• Community Matters 2 Inc.
• The Boys and Girls Club of Poughkeepsie
• Wild Ones
• The Brain and Body Coalition
• Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development
• Growing STEMz
• The Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet

Special thanks to these organizations that help fund our programs:

• City of Poughkeepsie, Youth Services Division
• Dutchess County, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums Grant Program