Internships

The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance offers two paid internship programs for High School Students: Garden 2 Market Internship and Urban Eco-Teens. In addition, we offer individual unpaid internships to high school and college students to assist with our ongoing Research Projects.

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 the summer interns spend time in our garden learning about growing vegetables, composting and the social and community aspects of a garden, and time exploring food justice issues and learning about the business of running a weekly farm stand. They learn 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 in Sustainable Cities course at Manhattan College.

Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2022 program.

Leadership support provided by:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Additional vital support provided by:
Manhattan College
Valentine Perry Snyder Fund
Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation
Con Edison
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality 

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 year-round paid internship for high school students that prepares a new generation of students for college, stewardship, and careers in the environmental fields.  Currently, the school year portion of our internship is on pause but we will hold a Summer 2023 internship.

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 Sustainable Cities 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).

In the fall, motivated interns become part of the Leaders In Training Program series where they develop their own leadership skills, through hands-on activities, co-lead volunteer groups in the park and pair up with UET Mentors, who are alumni of the program.

Applications for the 2023 internship will be available in late February.

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

Urban Eco-Teens Summer 2023

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

Guest Speakers: Ingrid Asencio, Wistor Dorta, Armina Del Toro, Ravneet Kaur, and David Ocasio

With deepest thanks to NYC Parks for their partnership.