Yuna Yang: Protecting Rhode Island’s water resources through advocacy and education

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - What do analyzing environmental laws, producing educational videos and engaging with community members at local events have in common?

For Yuna Yang, a Brown University student completing an internship with Clean Water Action in Providence this summer, these tasks are all driven by one mission: safeguarding Rhode Island's water systems and resources.

The rising Brown sophomore secured the internship with the Rhode Island chapter of the national organization through the SPRINT-iProv summer fellowship program, a joint project of the University's Swearer Center and Brown Center for Career Exploration. Each summer, iProv connects approximately 30 Brown undergraduates with full-time work experiences in partnership with Providence-based nonprofits. Clean Water Action has been an iProv partner since 2015, offering students opportunities to contribute to research, policy action and educational campaigns.

Originally from New York City, Yang's love for hydroponic gardening, a sustainable form of urban agriculture she discovered in high school, is what initially inspired her interest in environmental science and the role this summer with Clean Water Action has only solidified her desire to pursue a career in the field, she said.

"Seeing how each person at Clean Water Action works to protect the environment in unique but different ways has been inspiring," said Yang, who is considering a concentration in environmental science at Brown. "Whether it's through legislative advocacy, community education or hands-on volunteer work, I'm seeing that there are so many ways to contribute to environmental protection."