LEAF Past Seasons | The Nature Conservancy

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LEAF

Explore Past Seasons

Learn what it's like to be a LEAF intern in the field.

Interns from New York hike through the woods during an inventory of dragonfly and damselfly populations at the Maurice River Bluffs Preserve in New Jersey. Photographed on assignment for the Spring 2009, Nature Conserancy magazine story about a program to involved urban youth in nature studies on Conservancy preserves. © Amy Deputy

High school students participating in LEAF are divided into groups of three and paired with mentors for a four-week field season in July. They leave their cities to live, work, and play on nature preserves.

Participants assist with land management, public outreach and scientific research and enjoy activities including camping and kayaking. Students learn about careers in conservation, complete 35-hour paid work weeks, and visit local colleges. Many of these urban teens have never spent extended time in nature or explored colleges outside of the city. For most, the program also marks their first paid job experience. The students develop critical life and workplace skills while living away from friends and family. They participate in demanding field work, manage finances and budgets, and do their own cooking and cleaning.

When the students return to the city, they share what they have learned with their friends, families, and school communities. The Conservancy offers alumni meetings, classroom presentations and additional college internships to the students.