In less than two months since the launch of the Green Jobs Training and Internship Program, the interns have already done some amazing work – and there’s a lot more to come. This program is led by the Forest Park Conservancy in partnership with West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and Columbia Land Trust to provide training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for young adults interested in a career in the conservation sector.
Now, to get to some of the work completed and goals achieved by the interns.
Elevate Oregon
In partnership with Elevate Oregon, Green Jobs Interns held class presentations on Forest Park, Leave No Trace and other environmental subjects for 7th and 8th graders at Parkrose Middle School. The goal is to get the students outside to experience and learn in Forest Park.
The interns will be doing in-class presentations while planning to get to in Forest Park once a month. Youth experiencing Forest Park at an earlier age will hopefully lead to them returning to Park with their friends and family and one-day give back.
Forest Park Stewardship Events
The Interns have worked with 80 volunteers during our Thursday work parties helping us accomplish our annual trail and restoration projects.
Leadership and Restoration
They have also worked with the Great Old Broads for Wilderness, a national grassroots organization that came out to Powerdale in Hood River to revegetate a site where a dam was removed.
Working with FPC’s Partners – Columbia Land Trust
The work with Columbia Land Trust has put the Interns all over Oregon and Washington along the Columbia River. The Greys River, Kerry Islands, Beth Ryan Nature Preserve, Powerdale in Hood River and Mud Lake along the Lewis River are just some of the locations the Interns have had the opportunity to work. The Interns have also learned about restoration monitoring techniques used by Columbia Land Trust.
Professional Development
Professional development is important to the Interns as they have learned from various training and teaching moments from a variety of local environmental professionals. The Interns have had financial training from Financial Beginnings, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training from DRC Learning Solutions, and they attended a conference on weed management by the Four County.
We are thrilled to continue to watch the progress of this program and to see what they’ll be up to next! To get to know Ahmed Yusuf, Joseph Justice, Jonathan Albarran, and Selena Gutierrez better, click this link to read their bios.