This summer, Yang has had the opportunity to pitch in on a wide range of Clean Water Action’s local advocacy efforts. The nonprofit championed new state legislation, signed into law last month, that banned “forever chemicals,” often known as PFAS from products sold and manufactured in Rhode Island. She has also worked on other campaigns, including a bottle bill aimed at increasing recycling rates and abating litter caused by beverage containers.

To support the organization’s legislative advocacy, Yang watches hearings, takes notes and ensures no last-minute changes are made that could undermine proposed bills’ integrity, she said.

“Reading bills, keeping track of legislative updates and diving into the legislative side of environmental science has been a real eye-opener because it was all new to me,” Yang said. “It’s been so rewarding to see how laws are shaped to protect our environment.”

Yang has also played a role in Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable program this summer, which promotes the reduction of single-use plastic food containers and the use of reusable alternatives. To do that, she is part of a community outreach team that goes door-to-door to visit restaurants and schools and sets up information tables at community events, including the U.S. Senior Open golf event held in in Newport in June, to educate people about proper recycling and the importance of reducing single-use plastics. As part of the effort, Yang is creating a series of educational videos for schools that adopt the program to help each institution promote the transition to reusable plastics in their communities.

When she’s not in the field, Yang is assisting with administrative work in the office and contributing to the planning for Clean Water Action's annual “Electoberfest,” a major fundraising and community outreach effort that brings together supporters for the organization’s campaigns and advocacy work.

By balancing projects that span policy, education and community engagement, She has learned about advocacy and advancing solutions to environmental problems. As Yang prepares for her sophomore year and continues to explore environmental science, she feels informed and inspired by her summer fellowship.

“This experience has exposed me to the many ways that people can turn their passion for the environment into a career,” she said. “It’s made me realize that I can pursue my specific interests and carve my own path.”