From Curiosity to Climate Action: Reflections on Bedford 2030 summer internships
Every summer, a few lucky college students get the chance to roll up their sleeves, learn about sustainability from the ground up, and make a real difference through Bedford 2030’s internship program.
This year’s team worked on everything from town solar policy to a book club, and we loved hearing about their experiences in their own words.
Get to know Zoey Feldman (Programs), Alexandra Smithie (Communications), and Matthew Goldstein (Development) through their experiences and takeaways from an amazing summer interning at Bedford 2030!
Reimagining Bedford's Energy Landscape
Programs Intern Zoey Feldman, an environmental science major at Arizona State University, dove into a high-impact project: updating the town’s solar permit allowance as part of Bedford 2030’s ongoing push for clean energy.
“I definitely liked working on the updated solar plan,” Zoey shared. “It felt good to be part of something that could make a big difference in town.”
Her work supports Bedford 2030’s goals to reduce fossil-fuel reliance and make solar more accessible, and shows how much influence just one intern can have.
Bookworms for the Planet
Comms Intern Alexandra Smithie, a History major at Georgetown University, found joy in blending her love for reading with climate action.
Alexandra created content for the Bedford 2030 Climate Book Club, filmed a thoughtful interview with Communications Administrator Grace Gilmore, and brought the project to life on social media.
The best part? “We had this adorable outing at a café where we took pictures of the book with a sweet treat and flowers. It was so cute.”
The summer book club pick was What If We Get It Right? by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, an inspiring read focusing on climate positivity and solutions. This year, Bedford 2030’s theme is hope. At our end-of-summer book club bash at the Katonah Reading Room, we are motivating readers to find their climate action niche and empowering them to take action.
Takeaways from the TIOLI Shed
Development Intern Matthew Goldstein, who graduated from SUNY Purchase with a Liberal Arts degree with a focus on environmental science, spent every Saturday morning helping manage Bedford 2030’s Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI) Shed. He really enjoyed how every Saturday brought different items and familiar faces.
Matthew said, “You never know what you’ll find at the TIOLI shed. Every Saturday can bring a few surprises, like used Honda EV chargers, gold-painted toothbrush holders, and a remote that can translate different languages. And even if you can’t find anything to take or drop off, you could always admire the native bee garden on a lovely Saturday morning.”
Learning to Reach People
One of the biggest takeaways for the interns was how much they learned about communication and connection with the community.
“I’ve learned how to reach your audience and get people involved in a fun, creative way,” said Alexandra. “It’s been inspiring to watch the comms team’s creative process, experimenting with different messaging and formats to make the most impact.”
Zoey added, “I really appreciated being part of a small, motivated team. I learned how I can make an individual impact, and how to help others feel empowered to become active community members.”
Matthew said, “The TIOLI Shed is not only a great place to pick up valuable/interesting items or drop off products for someone else in need, but also a natural spot for community members to discuss how everyone’s doing and address issues affecting the community.”
From Awareness to Action
Along with sharpening the interns’ skills, the internship also deepened their understanding of complex environmental issues.
Zoey’s work on the Rooted Solutions program revealed the surprising environmental impact of landscaping choices.
“Working on the Rooted Solutions program really opened my eyes to the water use and pollinator impacts of landscaping,” Zoey said. “Once people learn, they want to change.”
For Alexandra, it was the emissions from everyday buildings that left a lasting impression.
Alexandra shared, “I had no idea how much of Bedford’s carbon footprint [50%] comes from buildings! It’s made me think more about urban planning and retrofitting for sustainability.”
For Matthew, working at Bedford 2030 led him to start making small changes in his daily life to reduce his carbon footprint.
He said, “If the weather gets too warm, I will take the Metro-North line to Katonah and back [instead of driving]. Instead of buying new batteries, I started charging my batteries thanks to the battery charger I got from the TIOLI Shed.”
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you’re a college student who cares about climate, communications, clean energy, and community action, we want you next summer!
You’ll leave with real-world experience, a deeper understanding of environmental work, and the confidence to create change in your community.
Ready to make a difference in Summer 2026? Sign up for our newsletter or follow @bedford_2030 on Instagram to stay in the loop when applications open.
Let’s build a better future!
Written by: Alexandra Smithie