Individual Placement - Urban Forestry & Community Engagement

Urban For Us Tree  Youth Programs Internship

The Urban For Us Tree  Youth Programs Internship will support a six-month pilot focused on urban forestry, environmental education, youth leadership, community engagement, and career exposure across the Houston area. The intern will coordinate and help facilitate school-based workshops, recruit and support a small after-school and weekend Youth Fellows cohort with a local school district, and organize field experiences, stewardship activities, student-led environmental projects, and community tree giveaway events.

Major duties will include program and event coordination, preparation of hands-on learning materials, communication with school and community partners, support for tree distribution and public events, career exploration activities, and tracking participation and program outcomes. Participants will engage in learning related to urban forestry, climate resilience, native plants and habitat, conservation, and environmental careers while gaining hands-on experience through field-based activities and community projects.

The primary goals of the position are to expand access to urban forestry education and community stewardship, deepen youth engagement through recurring programming, and help SCA test and strengthen a repeatable model that connects young people to future paid conservation and workforce opportunities.

Location:

Houston, TX

This position is primarily in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are available within 30 minutes. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.

Schedule:

October 5, 2026 - March 19, 2027

Key

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and co-facilitate hands-on workshops for high school students focused on urban forestry, conservation, climate resilience, native habitats, and environmental career pathways.
• Recruit, engage, and support a small after-school and weekend Urban For Us Tree  Youth Fellows cohort in partnership with a local school district.
• Plan and coordinate Youth Fellows activities, field experiences, stewardship projects, career exploration opportunities, and community-based programming.
• Support students in designing and implementing urban forestry, native pollinator habitat, community greening, and other environmental stewardship projects.
• Coordinate and support native fruit tree giveaway events, tree-planting activities, and other community-based For Us Tree  programs throughout the Houston area.
• Assist with event planning, partner coordination, community outreach, site logistics, materials preparation, tree distribution, volunteer engagement, and day-of event implementation.
• Coordinate and co-facilitate environmental education workshops with schools, school districts, community organizations, and other community-based partners.
• Prepare and organize workshop materials, PPE, field equipment, native plants, seeds, trees, and other supplies needed for educational activities and community events.
• Coordinate program logistics with SCA staff, school district partners, community organizations, environmental professionals, volunteers, students, and participating families.
• Coordinate guest speakers, site visits, and career-exploration opportunities related to forestry, conservation, natural resources, and environmental careers.
• Maintain accurate participation records, collect feedback and evaluation data, and document workshops, student activities, community events, and program outcomes.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of workshop materials, activity plans, event procedures, and program resources to support the replication and expansion of SCA's youth and community urban forestry programs.

Marginal Duties:

• Assist with outreach and recruitment materials for youth programs, educational workshops, and community events.
• Support the inventory, organization, transportation, and maintenance of program supplies, tools, PPE, and educational materials.
• Assist with preparing trees, native plants, seeds, and other materials for community distributions, planting activities, and stewardship projects.
• Participate in staff meetings, partner meetings,…