High School + College Youth Internship
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Rooted in the City is a 10-month paid internship for high school and college-aged youth across all five boroughs. This is more than just an internship—it’s a chance to reconnect with the land, your roots, and the rhythm of the seasons.
You’ll get your hands in the soil, learn to ID local plants and trees (yes, even the ones growing through sidewalk cracks), and discover how fungi, dirt, and weeds have medicinal purposes. Through different cultural stories and traditions, you’ll explore how the plants we find in our city have been used for healing, ceremony, and connection across generations. Along the way, you’ll deepen your knowledge of traditional plant wisdom, express your learning through creative mediums, and start to see the city—and yourself—differently.
Together, we’ll weave our experiences into a youth-led public event that blends nature, culture, and creativity:
“Moving Through our Senses with the Plant 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.
Curious? Scroll down for the full details--then come back here to apply!
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Friday, June 27th, 2025
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 IN-PERSON MEET-UPS:
September 6th, 2025: Bronx Foodway – Opening Circle; Sensory Observation; Land Ethics
October 4th, 2025: Central Park – Fall Tree Study; Fungi and Soil Webs (*1st meeting in this recurring location)
November 1st, 2025: Brooklyn/Queens Site (TBD) – Plant/Animal Interactions and Seed Dispersal
December 6th, 2025: Manhattan Site (TBD) – Winter Tree Tracking and Dormant Soil Study
January 10th, 2026: Central Park – Moon Rhythms, Nocturnal Plant Study, and Sensory Mapping (*2nd meeting)
February 7th, 2026: Prospect Park – Storytelling, TEK, and Cultural Ecological Markers
March 7th, 2026: Bronx/Queens Site (TBD)– Budburst, Early Greens, Soil Regeneration Tracking
April 18th, 2026: Central Park – Spring Blossoms, Pollinators, and Renewal (*3rd meeting)
May 16th, 2026: Brooklyn Beach Site (TBD) – Coastal Ecology, Plant Resilience, and Creative Showcase Preparation
May 2026: Youth-led Public Presentation titled “Moving Through our Senses with the Plant World” Central Park: dates: Wednesday, May 20th 6-8 PM (rain date: Wednesday May 27th) (*Meeting in this recurring location)
June 6th, 2026: Governors Island – Earth Matter Farm and Lavender Field Excursion. Closing Program Circle.
*Participants will revisit one location in Central Park multiple times to witness, document, and connect to seasonal transformations across fall, winter, and spring.
HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS & STIPEND
Time Commitment & Responsibilities:
Each month, the full team of high school and college interns will meet together. At the first meet-up, you’ll be assigned to a small cohort—one college intern and two high school interns.
Your cohort will schedule a monthly Zoom meeting at a time that works for everyone.
In addition to the monthly in-person meetups and the zoom cohort meetings, high school interns are expected to complete at least 3 hours of independent exploration each month. This time will be used to:
Investigate our civic engagement projects:
Petition for a foraging permit to help remove invasive plants
Soil restoration initiatives
How to organize a plant walk in your neighborhood park
Prepare for the culminating public event:
"Moving Through our Senses with the Plant World" in Central ParkContribute to creative and community-based work
Artistic & Media Requirements:
We encourage all levels of artistic ability to apply. You can use any artistic medium that helps express your ideas and learning— visual art, writing, video, poetry, song, dance etc. We're open!
However, each intern is expected to contribute the following:
Photo, sketch or sound documentation from each meet-up
Short video clips of the natural world
Participation in our public art campaign
(e.g. billboard designs, subway/bus posters, interactive art)
Stipend + Community Service Hours:
Interns will be paid $50 per in-person meet-up for time and travel
Total stipend: Up to $550 for the full program
Payment is for meet-up attendance only
You will receive community service hours for your time.
Snacks will be provided at all meet-ups
We’ll close the program with a shared meal and celebration on Governors Island
Please Note:
High school interns are required to complete at least 3 hours of independent project work each month outside of scheduled meet-ups. This work is essential for deepening your learning, contributing to civic engagement efforts, and preparing for the final public presentation.
While this portion of the internship is mandatory, it is not financially compensated. It is a key part of your growth, creative development, and overall contribution to the program.
COLLEGE INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS & COMPENSATION
Time Commitment & Responsibilities:
College-age interns are expected to:
Attend all in-person monthly meet-ups
Lead a youth cohort, supporting 2 high school interns with their:
Civic engagement projects:
Petition for a foraging permit to help remove invasive plants
Soil restoration initiatives
How to organize a plant walk in your neighborhood park
Creative and artistic work
Host a virtual cohort check-in once a month (1 hour)
Timing is flexible and will be decided by your group
Commit at least 3 additional hours each month to work on:
Your personal creative/ecological projects
Group or cohort-based initiatives
This role is a balance of participation, leadership, mentorship, and creative contribution.
Artistic & Media Requirements:
We encourage all levels of artistic ability to apply. You can use any artistic medium that helps express your ideas and learning— visual art, writing, video, poetry, song, dance etc. We're open!
However, each intern is expected to contribute the following:
Photo, sketch or sound documentation from each meet-up
Short video clips of the natural world
Participation in our public art campaign
(e.g. billboard designs, subway/bus posters, interactive art)
Compensation:
$20/hour
Approximate total: $1,200 for the full program
Snacks provided at all in-person meet-ups
We’ll close the program with a shared meal and celebration on Governors Island