Honduras

With a B.S. in Environmental Geosciences from Boston College, Merril Putnam plans to put the skills she learned in college to work in the world beyond campus. At school, she served with four others on the board of the eco-friendly BC group Ecopledge. For growing the group from nine to several hundred members, and for promoting environmentalism through such programs as the Recyclemania Competition, Clean Energy Project, Think Outside the Bottle Campaign, organic vegetable garden, Bulb Brigade, and now annual Harvest Fest Celebration, the school newspaper honored the board as "Person of the Year." During her time at BC, Merril also contributed to the establishment of Sustain BC, a group composed of student, faculty, and staff that studies how to make the campus more sustainable and the administration more receptive of environmentalism; the creation of the Office of Sustainability; and the promotion of awareness of environmental issues to Facilities Services, BC Dining, and ResLife. This summer, she is interning for Au Bon Pain, working specifically on environmental sustainability issues. In September, she departs for Copán, Honduras, where she will study eco-tourism and water sanitation for a year. She hopes to help find a way to develop the city's resources so as to "maximize the extent of community involvement, improve health and education, and retain the region's cultural integrity." Post-Fulbright, Merril will pursue a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture with a focus on Environmental Planning. In her search for a school to attend, she is only considering those with programs that have a sustainable component in their vision statements. She hopes to focus her studies and eventual occupation on designing with the existing environment in mind; redeveloping brownfields and revitalizing cities; and curbing sprawl by designing smart neighborhoods with common green spaces, reduced pavement, and mixed-use features. Overall, Merril hopes to improve people's environmental health and safety, regardless of income, race, or age. Congratulations to Merril and the entire BC Ecopledge venture!