Internships

The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance offers three paid internship programs for High School Students: Green Scholars, Garden 2 Market Internship and Urban Eco-Teens.

HEY TEENS
GET PAID TO LEARN

FOOD JUSTICE • GARDENING • COMPOSTING

Interested in learning more about food justice issues?
Looking for a way to be outdoors?
Want to build up your resume? 

Now you can do all that AND work with amazing Bronx people AND earn some money!

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and The New York Botanical Garden are partnering to bring you the GREEN SCHOLARS program:

Saturdays
10/14, 1 pm to 4 pm
10/21, TBD
11/11, 10 am to 1 pm
11/18, 12 pm to 3 pm

For teens in 10th, 11th, 12th grades

You’ll receive a certificate of completion and a $100 stipend.
Click this link to apply.
Apply by Friday, September 29th. 

There will be two additional sessions in the Spring of 2024 with Manhattan College and Woodlawn Conservancy.  More details in early 2024.

Green Scholars has been funded by the EPA under an Assistance Agreement

When we understand where our food comes from, and where it goes, we can make better decisions about what we buy and eat! This internship is for anyone interested in our food system and covers topics from growing to selling and eating. During their time in the program interns work in our garden learning about horticulture, composting, and the social and community aspects of a garden. They spend time exploring food justice issues and learning about the business of running a weekly farm stand: learning everything from ordering and pricing to stocking the table and completing a sale. They gain communication skills and become advocates for healthy eating in their community. The internship includes many chances to taste and cook new foods and recipes- because no internship about food is complete without eating!

Eligible summer participants attend a tuition free, accredited, rigorous college course called Topics in Environmental Studies at Manhattan College.

For the first time, a Crew Leader position will be added for 2023. This college-aged individual will assist in all aspects of the internship: providing direct instruction to interns, maintaining records and metrics, and helping with general prep and planning for each week.

Garden 2 Market 2023 Interns: Application Closed.
Garden 2 Market Crew Leader: Application Closed.

Acknowledgments for Garden 2 Market

2023 Leadership support provided by:
Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Small Grant Program

2023 Additional vital support provided by:
Manhattan College
Valentine Perry Snyder Fund

Special Thanks To:
GrowNYC
Amalgamated Housing Corporation

With deep thanks to NYC Parks for their partnership.

Celebrating over 10 years of hard work, friendships and environmental education! 

How has Urban Eco-Teens impacted your life?

It greatly impacted my life! I met so many great people and had experiences that honed important skills. I did not pursue a nature-based career but I would definitely do it over again. UET taught me how to cultivate and appreciate this earth. That is something every human being can benefit from. -Kaleem ’14

Fell in love with VCP, made great friends, and became more aware of my impact on the environment – Karen ’14, ’15, ’17

I learned that it’s important to socialize and make connections with people with similar interest. That by building up a little bit of courage and talking to others, we can create a great community.- Andrew ’21

About

Founded in 2012, Urban Ecology Teen Internship (Urban Eco-Teens) is a summer paid internship for high school students that prepares a new generation of students for college, stewardship, and careers in the environmental fields.

All interns work, in the park, alongside horticulturists and natural areas restoration staff from Van Cortlandt Park. They also complete labs, go on nature-focused field trips, and explore green career opportunities with natural resource professionals.

Eligible summer participants attend a tuition free, accredited, rigorous college course called Topics in Environmental Studies at Manhattan College; returning interns develop and present a special project; and, each year, two college-aged students develop leadership skills by working as program supervisors (Crew Leaders).

Check out this video to learn more about the Urban Eco-Teens Summer 2023 Program.

UET Summer 2023 Interns: Applications Closed.
UET Crew Leaders: Application Closed.

Summer 2022 Bronx Net Interview

Summer 2021 Urban Eco-Teens

Urban Eco Teens 2018

Urban Eco Teens 2020

Con Edison’s Green Jobs for Youth

Leadership support provided by:
Con Edison

Additional vital support provided by:
The City Gardens Club of New York City
Horace Mann School
The Edward F. & Sheri G. Leonard Fund
Laura J. Niles Foundation
Manhattan College
The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Shandler Family Fund
SMPS Family Fund
TD Charitable Foundation
Valentine Perry Snyder Fund
Van Cortlandt Track Club

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs  in partnership with the New York City Council.

Special thanks to:
Groundwork Hudson Valley
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
The New York Botanical Garden

With deepest thanks to NYC Parks for their partnership.