Caroline Barnhart

Caroline is currently pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where they are concentrating in Resource Management. With a strong interest in land conservation and nonprofit environmental work, they were drawn to NVCT's mission and the opportunity to contribute to urban conservation efforts.

Although not originally from the area, Caroline lived in Northern Virginia while working as a contractor for the EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This summer, they are based in Arlington’s Virginia Square neighborhood and enjoy exploring local green spaces like the Mount Vernon Trail and Ballston Wetland Park.

At NVCT, Caroline uses ArcGIS Pro to support the identification of high-priority conservation areas in Arlington. By analyzing data related to impervious surfaces, tree cover, zoning, and land development potential—guided by NVCT’s Strategic Conservation Plan—they help pinpoint parcels that offer strong conservation value.

Their background includes field biology research in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains as an undergraduate at Colgate University, where they studied invasive earthworm species. In graduate school, they’ve worked with the Willistown Conservation Trust on projects related to land use and sustainable agriculture, and participated in ecological fieldwork in Puerto Rico. Currently, they also hold a research fellowship at the Water Center at Penn, focusing on PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water.