Steve Brooks Legacy Fund
TCC establishes Internship Program to honor Steve Brooks
Steve Brooks (1946 - 2024) was a founding member of The Clinch Coalition (TCC) and was its
guiding force from 1998 to 2024. To honor his lifelong dedication to protecting and preserving
our natural environment, The Clinch Coalition has established the Steve Brooks Legacy Fund.
This fund will support paid internship opportunities to provide knowledge, skills and real-world
experiences in the movement to protect our Appalachian environment.
TCC’s first intern has been selected. Kenley Eisenmenger’s internship will be during the fall of
2025. She will receive training and mentorship and participate in educational and recreational
activities of The Clinch Coalition. The internship is open to anyone dedicated to advocating for
environmental protection and justice. Financial support to the Steve Brooks Legacy Fund can be
made on this website by clicking Donate or by sending a check to The Clinch Coalition P.O. Box
2732 Wise, VA 24293 with Legacy Fund on the memo line. Donations are tax deductible.
Steve's leadership in environmental protection and justice led TCC’s advocacy for sustainable
forest management, protection of old growth forest, elimination of logging on public lands,
protection of wetlands and waterways, trail maintenance, clean air and water, renewable energy
sources and cooperation with other environmental organizations.
True to his dedication, Steve and his wife, Maxine Kenny, established the Clinch Mountain
Preserve, a 108-acre hardwood forest located on the Clinch Mountain in Scott County Virginia.
This area in southwestern Virginia is part of the Clinch River Bioreserve. Steve and Maxine,
both longtime environmentalists, modified their already donated land conservation easement in
2005 to designate The 500-Year Forest Foundation as their conservation partner. This
Foundation works in partnership with private landowners to help ensure their mature forest and
biologically diverse species they nurture are protected into the future.
Steve Brooks
Steve, standing with the red hat, leading a group of volunteers to remove trees for trail maintenance in the Clinch Ranger district of the Jefferson national forest
TCC's first Intern Kenley Eisenmenger at a Natural Tunnel State Park cave gate to protect bats, where she is an Interpretive Ranger- Education Support Specialist.
Purpose of the Internship Program
TCC’s internship program provides individuals with the opportunity to learn, build skills, & gain experience in environmental protection and justice.
Internship Goals: To provide experiential learning and skill building, to include:
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Leadership in Community Organizing
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​identifying leaders, groups, and organizations that share our values and priorities
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conducting strategic outreach to student groups and local communities
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organizing community meetings and/or various outreach strategies and deliveries
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Organizing Educational and Recreational Events
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Organizing & volunteer support for High Knob Naturalist Rally Event, Hellbender 10K Race, and Holiday Gathering
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Support outreach through “tabling” at community events
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Attend & participate in organizational & committee meetings
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Developing and Delivering an Independent Project
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Identify a project pertinent to program goals and personal interest
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Provide qualitative and/or quantitative research or documentation
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The project final report is not limited to a written report. TCC is open to a variety of creative presentations.
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Timeframe
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Fall Semester, August - December
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Average ten hours per week, flexible schedule ​​
Compensation:
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$2500. $2,250 (15 weeks x 10 hours/week x $15/hour) + $250 for Independent Project
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The stipend will be paid throughout the internship
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A contract will be made between *Virginia Organizing, The Clinch Coalition, and the Intern. (*Virginia Organizing is TCC’s fiscal agent.)
Internship Expectations:
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Strong commitment to environmental justice and to the Coalition’s mission
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Strong interpersonal skills and a positive rapport with all people without bias or prejudice
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Strong skills in oral and written communications
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Demonstrate ability to work in a team, respecting all team members
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Ability to work independently to meet goals and report
Application Requirements:​
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Must live locally to participate in hands-on experiences
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All information requested must be provided ​​
Internship Selection:
Applications are available in the spring and the successful candidate is selected by a TCC Governing Board Committee.​