Joshua Carrera spent the first years of his life in Ecuador and returned to New York City, where he was born, to attend school. Through the High School for Environmental Studies, he discovered UVM and the Rubenstein School. Driven by his fascination with animals, Josh began as a wildlife major, but struggled in science courses. He ultimately found his niche, and thrived, as a natural resources major.

He spent an exciting summer as a conservation steward on a Nature Conservancy (TNC) preserve in Montana. But, some of his best experiences took him closer to home. Awarded the Gilman Scholarship for study abroad, he participated in service-learning courses and programs in conservation and sustainability in Costa Rica, Brazil, and Ecuador. 

“I was able to reconnect with my roots and bring environmental knowledge to Ecuador.” There, he learned the impact he had, especially on young people, to break the stereotype that only foreigners could be interested in conservation.

The assistant director of UVM’s ALANA Student Center encouraged Joshua to become involved, wise advice for an invested student like Josh. A tour guide and information desk assistant, he also joined social activist programs. He is proud of his Women’s Center Ally Award and his award for commitment to social justice.

His most fulfilling experience? Work study with Dave Kestenbaum, of UVM Extension. Josh created a 30-slide presentation on certification of eco-driving that Dave submitted to a training company for an online course. “It was the most hands-on experience I had at UVM. I directly contributed to the outcome of the project.” After graduation, Josh continued his work with Dave Kestenbaum as the teaching assistant for the travel study course Ecotourism in Costa Rica, a course that Joshua himself took as a sophomore.

Josh received the Lola Aiken Award in Natural Resources and after graduation, traveled as a delegate to Rio+20 in Brazil, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. He attended graduate school at Colorado State University and earned a Master of Science degree in Conservation Leadership.

In his new capacity as Program Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy’s New York City Program, Josh will help to lead the growth of the Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF) program in NYC and conduct foundational research for a NYC Greenprint. In addition, Josh will advance his research on green infrastructure, with a particular focus on social dimensions.

Josh stays connected to UVM by continuing to assist with the ecotourism travel course in Costa Rica.