Urban Forester Fellowship - Queens Focus

Organization: Trees New York is the leading environmental, urban forestry, tree stewardship and advocacy non-profit organization in NYC. Our mission is to plant, preserve, and protect New York City’s urban forest through education and community participation.

With 50 years of experience in community tree planting, stewardship and education projects, Trees New York has trained over 13,500 Citizen Pruners and over 9,000 youth in tree care and stewardship. In the last 10 years, we have planted over 5,000 trees in underserved communities including New York City Housing Authority campuses, school playgrounds, community gardens, and street trees.

Urban Forester Fellowship, Trees New York Education Department

This 9-month fellowship will introduce participants to the urban forestry and informal environmental education space within NYC. The fellow will assist in delivering Trees New York’s educational programs in partnership with community partners. These programs include the Youth Environmental Literacy Program (YELP) to NYC K-12 public school partners, community street tree stewardship projects and public events, and the Citizen Pruner Course.

Additionally, the fellow will assist in the operations of the 7-week summer Young Urban Forester (YUF) internship for high school students. The internship introduces students to urban forestry conservation topics, hands-on stewardship and tree maintenance, planning and management skills as well as exposure to a range of environmental careers through field trips and targeted seminars with industry professionals. Students will participate in tree stewardship tasks and pruning projects, tree inventory, and data collection. Additional topics include instruction on given topics such as urban agriculture, green infrastructure, air, and water quality. Tree stewardship activities include - removing litter and weeds from the tree beds, cultivating the soil, watering, mulching and pruning.

Visit treesny.org to learn more about the organization, educational programs and the Young Urban Forester Internship.

Responsibilities

Complete and pass the Citizen Pruner Course during the duration of the fellowship

Assist and lead educational lessons in the classroom to K-12 educational partners utilizing the Trees New York curriculum and materials

Implement tree stewardship and maintenance events and projects, including assistance in tree stewardship activities and providing basic instruction on how to care for urban trees.

Engage and outreach to volunteers and local partners to fulfill project and event goals

Conduct the operations of the YUF internship program including supervision of 12 high school students under the direction of the Director of Education and Program Manager for 7-weeks from July through August

Track project progress, hours and administrate paperwork

Serve as support personnel for special projects and events

Other general office and clerical duties as needed

Qualifications

MUST ENJOY WORKING OUTDOORS

Experience working with youth preferred

Working towards a degree in Biology, Environmental Studies, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, Geography or Education

Target Neighborhoods: Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Rego Park

Schedule

March 2, 2026 through May 29, 2026 (15-20 hrs./wk.)

June 2026 (20-25 hrs./wk.)

July 2, 2026 - August 21, 2026 (32-40 hrs./wk.)

August 24, 2025 – November 20, 2025 (20-25 hrs./wk.)

Transportation stipend