Hey there! My name is Adriana and I’m one of 5 DMMs (Difference Maker Mentors) for the 2023-2024 NRCA program. I’m a Junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Cognitive Science but with many interests in other fields like Developmental Psychology, Linguistics, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Natural Resources and the Environment, to […]
Difference Makers
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Andy Zhang
Hello! My name is Andy Zhang and I am a sophomore at the University of Connecticut where I serve as a NRCA Difference Maker Mentor for the 2023-2024 cohort . As a dedicated student, I am pursuing degrees in environmental science as well as economics with the aim of developing a well-rounded perspective on […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Paige Booth
Hello Everyone! My name is Paige Booth and I am a junior at the University of Connecticut studying environmental science with a concentration in sustainable systems and a minor in ecology and evolutionary biology. I am lucky enough to serve as one of the Difference Maker Mentors for the 2023-2024 school year. On campus, I […]
Introducing Graduate Mentor: Christopher Cane
Hello! My name is Christopher Cane, and I am a graduate student mentor and research assistant with the NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program and NRCA Difference Mentor Maker Program. I’m currently a master’s student studying Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Connecticut. As an undergraduate student, I double majored in […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Leah Gichuru
Hello, my name is Leah Gichuru, and one of the Difference Maker Mentors for the year 2022-2023. I am currently studying molecular and cell biology, and minoring in Spanish at the University of Connecticut. As a first-generation American student, I am the first in my family to be attending a four-year college and focus much of […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Sydney Seldon
Hello everyone! My name is Sydney Seldon, and I’m a sophomore at UConn. I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and plan to double major in Environmental Policy as an individualized major. Avenues prioritizing collective action and community engagement have guided the opportunities I seek, and my role as a Difference Maker Mentor […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Erin McKeehan
Hey y’all! I’m Erin McKeehan and I will be serving as one of the NRCA Difference Maker Mentors for the 2022-2023 program. I am currently a senior at UConn studying Economics and Environmental Studies. While I plan on pursuing multiple pathways, I am particularly interested in circular economies and economic justice. I am radically optimistic in the […]
Introducing Difference Maker Mentor: Leilani Duarte
Hello, my name is Leilani Rose Duarte, and I am a 2022-23 NRCA Difference Maker Mentor (DMM). I’m a senior at UConn majoring in Natural Resources (NRE) with a concentration in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). I intend on entering graduate school after I graduate to further […]
DMM Passion Projects: User Guide For Installing Wildlife Camera Traps
Continuing the saga of DMM Passion Projects, I chose to put together a user guide document for installing wildlife camera traps. My interest for this project began when one of my teams in the Conservation Training Partnership program chose to capture pictures of the wildlife species at Roaring Brook Falls park in Cheshire. The […]
DMM Passion Projects: Meg’s Environmental Justice Focus
Aside from mentoring Conservation Training Partnership (CTP) participants and carrying out community conservation projects, our Difference Maker Mentors take on passion projects on the side throughout the year. Currently, our Difference Maker Mentor Meg is working on creating a project template that is centered around environmental justice for future programs. During previous years, we have […]