Avery Sands ’26, a Trinity College environmental science major with a minor in legal studies, has been awarded a National Environmental Leadership Fellowship by the Rachel Carson Council (RCC), one of the nation’s oldest environmental advocacy organizations. This national recognition supports her research and community outreach efforts focused on environmental health and justice in urban communities. Sands is one of 35 students selected for this fellowship nationally.
Sands, originally from the South Shore of Massachusetts, will conduct her fellowship research under the mentorship of Amber L. Pitt, associate professor of environmental science at Trinity. Her research investigates mercury concentrations in urban pond sediments in and around Hartford, Connecticut, with a focus on identifying spatial patterns and understanding how these pollutants may vary in densely populated urban areas in relation to industries that historically emitted mercury.
Using standard sediment sampling and analysis methods developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sands aims to contribute new scientific data to the growing body of research on small urban freshwater ecosystems and their environmental challenges.
“Urban areas are often left out of environmental monitoring and sustainability planning,” Sands said. “My goal is to highlight the environmental health of these ecosystems and ensure that urban communities are part of the conversation and the solutions.”
Sands’s research aims to connect scientific data with environmental justice, combining field and lab work with community outreach both on and off campus. Her outreach efforts, conducted in collaboration with local organizations, are designed to engage residents across generations in discussions about urban environmentalism and public health. By bridging science and community, Sands hopes to elevate local voices and advocate for policy attention in underserved urban areas.
A Deep Commitment to Environmental Justice
Sands said that her focus on environmental justice was strengthened through her work in Trinity’s Liberal Arts Action Lab, where she partnered with Hartford’s Center for Leadership and Justice on a research project examining the health and social disparities related to environmental conditions in Hartford’s South End.
At Trinity, Sands has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Pitt’s lab, studying how trace metal concentrations affect urban pond ecosystems and assessing water quality in tributaries of the Connecticut River. She also interned for two summers with the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, contributing to critical conservation and monitoring efforts in Massachusetts.
In addition to her research, Sands is a Rosemary and Stan Marcuss ’63 Fellow, a student representative on Trinity’s Sustainability Committee, and a mentor for the Elizabeth Elting Foundation Venture Conference for Women’s Leadership. Her involvement reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, equity, and leadership—values that align closely with the mission of the Rachel Carson Council.
“Being selected as an RCC Fellow is an incredible honor,” said Sands. “Rachel Carson’s legacy is a powerful reminder that science and advocacy must go hand in hand. I’m excited to continue my research with support from the incredible team at the RCC.”
About the RCC Fellowship
The Rachel Carson Council National Environmental Leadership Fellowship supports students who demonstrate exceptional promise in environmental leadership, justice, and advocacy. Fellows receive funding, mentorship, and access to a national network of environmental leaders and scholars. The program emphasizes integrating scientific inquiry with community-based engagement.
