A UConn student is making connections between the university and The Nature Conservancy

A University of Connecticut student has become a fellow for Connecticut’s Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees. 

Tessa Hospod is an eighth-semester student studying environmental science and Spanish. Through her interest in sustainable systems, Hospod wanted to see how she could become more involved with the state’s nature conservancy. 

“Last summer I reached out to The Nature Conservancy and inquired about getting involved with their organization. They said they were looking for students to become board fellow members as part of their internship program,” Hospod said. “I decided that I wanted to pursue something outside of my comfort zone so I went through the interview process and later joined their team in September 2024.” 

Hospod wanted to work beyond UConn to expand her knowledge and research in the field, leading her to initially reach out to The Nature Conservancy. 

“My current research project, which involves a native sedge grass species, inspired me to join an organization outside of UConn and share my ideas with the greater scientific community. I wanted to incorporate what I was learning in the classroom as well as out in the field in a larger context,” Hospod said. 

At UConn, Hospod has worked at UConn’s Plant Science Farm for the past few years. 

Additionally, she has taken on a research project through UConn’s Honors Program that focuses on carex species and native lawn alternatives, a press release said. She does this on top of working as a research assistant for UConn’s Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Department. 

“Being a student at UConn has provided me with the resources I needed to achieve my outside goals,” Hospod said. “I have used the university’s resources to branch outside of my plan of study and to form connections with individuals and groups of people that are involved in the industry to which I would like to start my future career in.” 

While The Nature Conservancy is a global organization, as a fellow for the Connecticut location, Hospod will be able to converse about governmental efforts and act as a connection between UConn and The Nature Conservancy, opening a door for possible partnerships, the press release said. 

For students interested in environmental science, Hospod encourages them to get involved with The Nature Conservancy. 

“If students are looking for a way to get involved with the environmental community, The Nature Conservancy is a great place to start,” Hospod said.