Jessica Reid joins Greenway staff as communications intern

Jessica Reid joined the East Coast Greenway Alliance staff Wednesday as the organization’s summer communications intern. In this position, Reid will develop and edit external communication content to promote the organization’s work and the benefits of greenways. Her internship is part of the APPLES service-learning program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which connects students with opportunities to work for nonprofit organizations in the Triangle area of North Carolina.

“I’m looking forward to doing meaningful work for the Alliance because I know greenways have many benefits for health and the economy,” says Reid. She is excited to continue learning more about the impact of greenways and trails and communications this summer. 

A rising junior in the honors program at UNC-Chapel Hill, Reid is majoring in environmental studies and pursuing minors in public policy and media and journalism. As part of an Environment and Science Communication dual-degree program, she has assured admission to the Hussman School of Journalism and Media to earn a master’s degree in Media and Communication. 

A native of Apex, North Carolina, Reid became interested in the environment as a child when she witnessed deforestation near her home and learned about disappearing plants and animals due to human impact. Since then, she has aspired to spend her time promoting sustainability. She also has enjoyed writing since she was young and is publishing a novel about effective strategies for communicating about the environment in summer 2020. She finds studying the environment and communication a way to combine a topic and skill to make a positive impact on the world around her. 

In summer 2019, Reid was an intern in the Policy Analysis and Communications group at the Environmental Protection Agency in Durham, North Carolina. She has experience leading science camps for students and conducting environmental law research as well. 

In her free time, Reid enjoys being outdoors. Her favorite outdoor activities are hiking, gardening, kayaking and playing soccer. She also devotes much of her time to extracurricular organizations at UNC-Chapel Hill. Through groups like Epsilon Eta Environmental Honors Society, United Solar Initiative, the Environmental Affairs Committee of student government and the Residence Hall Association, Reid is passionate about increasing sustainability at her school.