4:54 p.m., Jan. 28, 2008--Students interested in learning about coastal land-use issues have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience this summer. The Undergraduate Coastal Community Fellowship program is accepting applications from undergraduate students interested in working on projects that help Sussex County, Delaware, government and local municipalities address the impacts of growth and development.

The fellowship is part of UD's Coastal Community Enhancement Initiative (CCEI), a collaboration of the Colleges of Marine and Earth Studies; Agriculture and Natural Resources; and Human Services, Education and Public Policy. CCEI links University expertise with communities and citizens to help develop effective policies and programs that balance growth with consideration for the natural resources needed to sustain an area's population, from clean water to open space.

All undergraduate students with an interest in local community issues are encouraged to apply, but students with backgrounds in economics, social science, history, natural resources, environmental science, public policy, agriculture and political science are especially encouraged. University of Delaware applicants will be given priority, but students from other institutions may apply.

Three team-oriented and self-motivated students will be chosen for the 10-week program, which begins June 2 and ends Aug. 8. Fellows will be required to reside in Sussex County during the program and will receive a stipend of $5,000.

Send resume and cover letter by Feb. 15 to [jfalk@udel.edu] or to:

James M. Falk, Director
Delaware Sea Grant College Program
College of Marine and Earth Studies
700 Pilottown Rd.
Lewes, DE 19958

For more information about CCEI, e-mail Bill McGowan of the UD Cooperative Extension Service at [billmcg@udel.edu] or Bernie Dworsky with the UD Institute for Public Administration at [bdworsky@udel.edu].

To learn more about the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, visit [www.deseagrant.org]. For more about UD's College of Marine and Earth Studies, visit [www.ocean.udel.edu].