• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

		The Nature Conservancy in New York New York Home Contact Us Places We Protect   Adirondacks   Central & Western   Eastern   Long Island   New York City News Room Field Trips and Events Young Professionals Internship Program Science Volunteer Ways of Giving

Tyquan Logan holds a dragonfly © The Nature Conservancy Contact: For more information about The Nature Conservancy's Internship Program for City Youth, or to sponsor a student, please contact Brigitte Griswold at (212) 381-2186 or bgriswold@tnc.org. Donate now to help protect NewYork's Last Great Places!

The 2005 interns get muddy while working in the Delaware Bayshores ©Dave Gelona

Internship Program for City Youth

2005 Season

Twenty-seven students and mentors participated in the 2005 field season, which marked the largest group in the program's eleven year history. A record number of Nature Conservancy field offices throughout the Northeast also hosted the interns this summer. These locations included Eastern New York, Central and Western New York, Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, the Adirondacks, Southern Lake Champlain Valley, New Jersey Skylands, and the Delaware Bayshores.

The 2005 interns highlight their experiences:

Jacky Chow (left) and Steffan George doing trail maintenance. © Daniel Tainow

“I have come to realize that I was learning, twenty-four hours a day, from things about nature to things about life, things that you can’t experience in the city. One memorable experience was when my group did the Piping Plover survey on the beach. The Plovers were the size of tennis balls and the same color as the sand. Trying to find one reminded me of trying to find Waldo in the Find Waldo books. In order to find a Plover you really had to let your eyes unfocus. But not all the great experiences came from just working. The scenery was breathtaking. Once I was working by the side of a mountain that looked as high as a skyscraper. Not even words could describe how I felt. Another great thing about the trip was learning how to manage money and cook. This program allows people to learn by themselves.”

Jacky Chow, 17
High School for Environmental Studies
 

Justine Gonzalez (right) and Jennifer Troncoso (left) plant native species. © Jaxon White 2005/courtesy of Vineyard Gazette

“This trip has affected me in so many ways. In doing the work, I saw myself behave in different ways than I would in New York. At times I was disappointed and at times I was proud, but during both emotions I really got to know myself better. Living away from home showed me independence; I feel like this aspect of the program is a preview to what college life would be for me. Living in a new place, especially one so different from what I am used to in New York, shows me that there are completely different lifestyles and cultures outside of mine, and that’s not bad.”

Justine Gonzalez, 17
High School for Environmental Studies

Jumane Noel (right) and Tyquan Logan seining.  © Daniel Sharoff

“The first day I got there I was blown away by all the trees and animals living right in our backyard, things that I used to see only in books. Being able to save endangered species really opened my eyes, and working everyday knowing you are making a difference is its own reward. This trip showed me that when I start doing things on my own, my family is not always going to be around to catch me when I fall. I had to adjust and mature to do things to the best of my ability. I struggled sometimes trying to get my point across without being disrespectful. But when it came to working, we learned real teamwork. It’s a major accomplishment to be able to band together with strangers and put all our differences out the window and just work to the best of our abilities.”

Jumane Noel, 16
Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment

If you are interested in sponsoring a student or want more information on the Internship Program, please contact Brigitte Griswold at (212) 381-2186 or email bgriswold@tnc.org.