Urban Ecology Teen Internship

The Urban Ecology Teen Internship (Urban Eco-Teens) is a paid summer internship for high school students run by the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance in the Bronx, New York. The program started in 2012 and aims to prepare teens for college, environmental stewardship, and careers in environmental fields. Interns work outdoors in Van Cortlandt Park alongside the park's horticulture and natural areas restoration staff. The summer also includes nature-focused field trips and chances to learn about green careers from natural resource professionals. Qualified first-year interns are offered a free, three-credit college course, Introduction to Climate Justice, through SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). Returning interns can choose from other ESF courses, and the coursework is asynchronous. In past years, returning interns have led projects such as mapping invasive Japanese knotweed and collecting data on Asian jumping worms in the park's forest. The program ran with sponsor support in 2026.

Ideal applicants are rising juniors and seniors who are interested in learning about various green careers while completing hands-on restoration projects. Students should check the Alliance's internship page or contact the Alliance directly for grade requirements and application details.