Nick Mercer – Conservation Corps Newfoundland Labrador (CCNL)

Environmental Policy Student Nick Mercer is spending his summer in St. John’s as a Policy and Program Development Intern with Conservation Corps Newfoundland Labrador (CCNL). CCNL is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing youth with training and work experience in the fields of environmental and cultural heritage conservation. Since 1992, CCNL has completed over 500 environmental conservation projects throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

One of Nick’s main roles with CCNL is program development – in this capacity Nick has been given lead roles in developing new programming in the areas of sustainable transportation, youth engagement in environmental action, and drinking water safety. Assisting in the implementation of previously existing programs; Nick has delivered Climate Change Workshops to approximately 100 youth in the province, assisted in the development of ten community gardens throughout the province, and has participated in numerous Environmental Awareness Events.

Nick is also carrying out program evaluations for CCNL – by developing, administering, and evaluating results of surveys, Nick is writing recommendations and reports of how CCNL can improve their existing youth environmental engagement programs.

Nick has gained experience in developing environmental policy throughout his internship position; specifically, Nick is researching the role of the not-for-profit sector in achieving environmental outcomes. Based on the results of his research, Nick is developing an internal policy of how the non-profit sector can engage with policy-makers, educational institutions, the private sector, and the public at large in achieving environmental progress.
Nick would like to say thanks to Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador for hosting his internship position and providing invaluable experience in environmental policy and program development. If you would like to learn more about CCNL, check out their website at www.ccnl.ca.