High School + College Youth Internship
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Rooted in Sunset is an 11-month paid/stipend internship for high school students and college-aged youth.
Spend time in parks across NYC getting to know plants, fungi, and the seasonal rhythms of urban ecosystems—tasting spiced elderberry tea after meeting elder trees and their berries. From medicinal plants we might think are just “weeds” to towering old-growth tulip trees, the more you learn to observe, the more you start to notice what’s been there all along.
We’ll weave what we’re learning into cohort projects—from building a digital plant map to designing plant murals and soil testing for youth-led land proposals—while leading immersive, youth-led public events that invite others into relationship with the natural world.
This program is for you if you’re curious about nature, care about your community, or just want to get outside and do something real. Let’s grow something powerful—together.
APPLICATION FOR ROOTED IN THE CITY 2026-2027 PROGRAM OPENS:
Friday, May 1st, 2026
APPLICATION CLOSES:
Monday, June 29th, 2026
QUALIFICATIONS:
Age 14-24
NYC Resident
Comfortability traveling to various locations in NYC
Want to connect with land knowledge and make nature come alive to you in your city
TIMELINE AND LOCATIONS OF OUR MANDATORY SATURDAY IN-PERSON MEET-UPS:
September 12th, 2026: Bronx Foodway – Opening Circle; Sensory Observation; Land Ethics
October 3rd, 2026: Sunset Park – Fall Tree Study, Fungi, Soil Webs (first meeting in our recurring location)
November 7th, 2026: Sunset Park / Bush Area – Plant & Animal Interactions, Seed Dispersal
December 5th, 2026: Prospect Park or Inwood Park – Winter Tracking, Dormant Soil Study
January 9th, 2027: Sunset Park – Outdoor + Library Project Jams, Sensory Mapping, Cultural Plant Stories
February 6th, 2027: Brooklyn (Location TBD) – Indoor / Outdoor Project Jams, Sensory Mapping
March 6th, 2027: Sunset Park – Project Jams, Bud Burst, Early Greens, Soil Regeneration Tracking
April 10th, 2027: Sunset Park – Tree Day Public Event — Bring your friends and family!
May 8th, 2027: Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park: Spring Blossoms, Pollinators, Renewal, Creative Showcase
June 5th, 2027 – Location TBD – Closing Circle, Cordage, Plant Crafts, Games
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SEASONAL WALKS
Interns must attend one of the following:
January (Date TBD): Winter Tree Walk + Mulch Event
April 17th, 2027: Youth-Led Spring Bloom Walk with the Rose Family
ALL INTERNS MUST ATTEND
Rooted in Sunset: Plant World Festival – Saturday, May 22nd, 2027 (Rain Date TBD) – Sunset Park
OPTIONAL POST-PROGRAM EVENT
June 11th, 2027 – Sunset Park: Rose Family Event. This event takes place after the official program ends. Interns may choose to help run the event alongside alumni Rooted in the City interns.
HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Each month, all high school and college interns will gather with the Rising Earth team on the dates and at the locations listed above.
These monthly in-person meetups will run approximately 4 hours and offer immersive experiences in the natural world. Together, we will explore plants and thriving urban ecosystems while developing our senses to better read the land around us, understand seasonal rhythms, and learn the stories rooted in place.
Before the first meetup, each high school intern will be placed in a small cohort made up of one college intern and three high school interns.
Your cohort will also schedule a monthly Zoom meeting at a time that works for everyone.
INDEPENDENT MONTHLY EXPLORATION
In addition to the monthly in-person meetups and cohort Zoom sessions, high school interns are expected to complete at least 2 hours of independent exploration each month.
This time may be used to contribute to creative and civic engagement projects such as:
Youth-led land proposals: The Second Foodway in NYC
Rose Family mural project and other visual arts works
Digital GIS plant mapmaking
Developing immersive botanical-themed theater for children
Social media, photography, and short educational videos
Movement/dance Nature crafting, plant processing, and outdoor game making
Preparing for youth-led public events
Supporting creative and community-based initiatives
STIPEND + COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS:
High school interns who successfully complete all program expectations and remain through the conclusion of the internship will receive community service hours and a $500 stipend.
Snacks and meal support will be provided at all meetups.
COLLEGE INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS & COMPENSATION
Each month, the full team of college and high school interns will gather with the Rising Earth team on the dates and at the locations listed above.
These monthly in-person meetups will run approximately 4 hours and offer immersive experiences in the natural world. Together, we will explore plants and thriving urban ecosystems while developing our senses to better read the land around us, understand seasonal rhythms, and learn the stories rooted in place.
Before the first meetup, college interns will meet with the Rising Earth team to create a timeline for the project they will help lead throughout the program.
Each college intern will be assigned a small cohort of three high school interns to mentor alongside Rising Earth staff. Cohorts will also schedule a monthly Zoom meeting at a time that works for everyone.
College interns are expected to help guide their cohort project, track progress, and stay in regular communication with the Rising Earth team throughout the program.
INDEPENDENT MONTHLY EXPLORATION
In addition to the monthly in-person meetups and cohort Zoom sessions, college interns are expected to complete at least 2 hours of independent work each month.
This time may be used to support creative and civic engagement projects such as:
Youth-led land proposals: The Second Foodway in NYC
Rose Family mural project and other visual arts works
Digital GIS plant mapmaking
Developing immersive botanical-themed theater for children
Social media, photography, and short educational videos
Movement, dance, nature crafting, plant processing, and outdoor game making
Preparing for youth-led public events
Supporting creative and community-based initiatives
TIME COMMITMENT & RESPONSIBILITIES
College interns are expected to:
Attend all monthly in-person meetups
Lead and mentor their youth cohort project
Facilitate one monthly cohort meeting
Complete approximately 2 hours of independent project work each month
Communicate regularly with the Rising Earth team regarding progress and support needs
COMPENSATION
$18/hour
Approximate Total Compensation: $1,320 for the full program
Snacks and meal support will be provided at all in-person meetups.
