Are you inspired by young environmental activists?
Do you feel called to make a difference in your own community?
The City of Austin’s Youth Forest Council is an immersive, yearlong paid internship connecting young people (ages 16-20) in Austin to careers in natural resources and public service. Youth Forest Council members work with Urban Forest Program professionals to support community activities and develop their own connections to Austin’s natural spaces.
Members have the opportunity to:
- Plan community events and festivals
- Design educational materials to be shared with Austinites
- Represent the Urban Forest Program in their own neighborhoods
- Gain valuable, firsthand knowledge about green careers
Members of the Youth Forest Council earn $20 per hour.
"I am very appreciative and fortunate to have been selected for this internship. I learned a lot about Austin, its urban forest, green careers, and learned a lot about myself and my interests in the process. This was a great experience."
--2020 Youth Forest Council member
- Who is a good fit for the Youth Forest Council?
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The Youth Forest Council provides an opportunity for young people to use their unique skills and talents to support our urban forest. While the main focus of the Youth Forest Council is forestry and environmental stewardship, we encourage young people with interests in arts, community organizing, business, and more to apply.
An ideal Youth Forest Council member will be:
- Curious about our environment and interested in exploring careers related to it
- Passionate about getting involved in their community
- Able to attend one (1) full council meeting each month (meetings will be held at locations throughout Austin; transportation assistance may be available)
- Able to work about 10 hours per month for a full year (June 2024 – May 2025)
- Currently living within the City of Austin or the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)
- Eligible to legally work in the United States
There are no academic requirements for participation in the Youth Forest Council.
The Urban Forest Program seeks to enhance Austin’s quality of life by fostering a healthy urban forest for all. We encourage young people from communities of color and historically underserved to apply.
"Before joining Youth Forest Council I knew I wanted to help the environment in a broad sense. Now I feel excited to explore careers in Urban Forestry and Environmental Education. YFC has introduced me to so many great people and taught me a lot about myself. YFC is the best!"
- 2021 Youth Forest Council member
- Apply for the Youth Forest Council!
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We’re so happy that you’re interested in becoming a Youth Forest Council Member. Please read this section for more information on applying. If you have questions at any point throughout the application process, email the Youth Forest Council coordinator.
All application materials are due no later than March 15th, 2024.
Who should apply?
Youth Forest Council applicants should be:
- Curious about our environment and interested in exploring careers related to it
- Passionate about getting involved in their community
- Able to attend one (1) full council meeting (meetings will be held at locations throughout Austin; transportation assistance may be available)
- Able to work about 10 hours per month for a full year
- Currently living within the City of Austin or the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)
- Eligible to legally work in the United States
There are no academic requirements for participation in the Youth Forest Council.
The Urban Forest Program seeks to enhance Austin’s quality of life by fostering a healthy urban forest for all. We encourage young people from communities of color and historically underserved to apply.
What you will need to apply:
- About 1.5 hours to complete the Youth Forest Council Member Application
- Answers to these short answer questions
- One (1) reference to complete the Youth Forest Council Recommendation Form
All application materials are due no later than Mar. 15, 2024.
If accepted:
If selected to participate, applicants will become employees of the City of Austin and must follow all City rules and policies. Youth Forest Council members must agree to do their best to represent the City's Urban Forest Program in their communities with respect and professionalism. Accepted Youth Forest Council members will be required to complete necessary hiring documents and verify their work eligibility with acceptable documents.
More information regarding these processes will be sent following acceptance decisions.
Need a printable PDF of the application or recommendation? Have questions about the process? Email the Youth Forest Council coordinator.
- Learn more about Austin's urban forest.
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Visit the Community Tree Report to better understand the work of the Urban Forest Program.
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Explore actions you can take to support Austin's trees at the Tree Information Center webpage.
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Discover other youth-based resources through the Urban Forest Youth Education webpage.
Meet the Youth Forest Council:
"This is one of the most supporting and accepting environments I've been in and I feel like so much more than just an intern."
- 2021 Youth Forest Council member
- 2023 Youth Forest Council
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Lydian DiDonatoshe/her/hers
Core Values: teamwork, resilience, empathy
Passions: The outdoors and helping people
climate equity, restorative justice, and youth education
Lydian joined YFC to learn more about the relationship between people and the environment while advocating for youth involvement in climate equity. Lydian completed over 153 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Lydian served as an Urban Forest Fellow, mentoring YFC members and supporting their Community Action Projects.
Raymundo Ulrichhe/him/his
Core Values: having healthy outdoor spaces, privacy, and feeling connected with people
Passions: Caring for the people around me, I am passionate about the health of the world around me, and I am passionate about keeping myself in good health and staying happy and beautiful
Raymundo joined YFC hoping to do and learn things about how to care for the natural spaces we have in our community, as well as to meet likeminded people who wanted to learn and do things related to what he cares about. Raymundo completed over 153 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Tree Planting at Roy G. Guerrero Park
Raymundo partnered with fellow YFC member Ryder to lead an invasive species removal/ brush burn pile project at Blunn Creek Nature Preserve.
Anish Palleyhe/him/his
Core Values: Curiosity, Gratitude, and Growth
Passions: Gardening, Board Games, and Food
Anish joined YFC because of his passion for being involved in a program devoted to eco-sustainability. YFC is the perfect blend of enjoyment, sustainability, and nature. Anish completed over 165 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Oak Wilt StoryMap
Anish created a StoryMap on Oak Wilt utilizing ArcGIS to inform and compare Oak Wilt at the Local and State level. He also continued his previous year’s CAP with his remaining Bright Green Future School Grant money.
Gabby Crooksshe/her/hers
Core Values: working hard, being authentic, taking accountability, being kind, being understanding
Passions: The outdoors and helping people
yoga, the outdoors and hiking, and my family and friends
Gabby joined YFC to get the opportunity to experience new places and a new understanding of the outdoors as well as to find new find a community of friends outside of her school. Gabby completed over 106 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Tree Distribution at McCallum High School
Gabby partnered with TreeFolks to give away 30 trees at McCallum to her neighbors and community.
Zane Williamshe/him/his
Core Values: Integrity, Sustainability, Community Engagement, and Education
Passions: Horticulture, Sculpture, and Environmental Restoration
Zane joined YFC to gain hands on experiences and knowledge regarding our city’s urban forestry environment and to explore green career opportunities. Zane has gained invaluable life experience, friendships, and knowledge throughout his internship that he is extremely grateful for. Zane completed over 161 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education. Zane also has the distinction of being selected as an Urban Forest Fellow to help mentor the next cohort of YFC members.
Community Action Project: Propagation Video/Article Series and Make and Take Tabling Event
Zane's CAP is split into 2 parts - each designed at educating the public about how to propagate Texas Native species.
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He hosted a tabling event where participants can get hands on experience with cutting and seed propagation, as well as learn about some cool native species.
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Check out his article and video series about seed propagation:
Discover the Marvels of the Mexican Buckeye Tree
Kate Abelshe/her/hers
Core Values: Creativity, knowledge, and adaptability
Passions: Travel, problem-solving, and taking ridiculous quantities of photos of her cats!
Kate joined YFC because she wanted the chance to see how the skills she learned in school translate to the real world, and because she loves all things sustainability. Being a part of YFC looked like a great way to be outside, solve real-world problems, learn more about plants, and gain professional experience. This past year has been all of that and more! Kate completed over 114 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education. Kate also has the distinction of being selected as an Urban Forest Fellow to help mentor the next cohort of YFC members.
Community Action Project: Tree Planting at Vandegrift High School
Kate created a plan for a tree planting and planter box restoration at Vandegrift using funding from a Bright Green Futures grant. The event is set to take place in the fall of 2024!
Galileo Ambrosettihe/him/his
Core Values: creativity, optimism, and sustainability
Passions: Art and nature and the coexistence of the two
Galileo joined YFC because he really liked the message of Urban Forestry that was put out as well as the program having a highly flexible schedule that could be easily integrated into his life. Galileo completed over 114 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Texas Trees Mural
Galileo painted an educational mural inside his school library depicting trees, grasses and flowers native to Texas. It includes a QR code link to information about the specific species highlighted in the artwork.
Yasmine Puente
she/her/hers
Core Values: Freedom, Conservation, and Caring
Passions: Being in nature, community, and culture
Yasmine joined YFC to deepen her connection with the environment and nature, and to learn how to help her community better engage with the natural spaces that surround them. Yasmine completed over 123 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Tree Planting at Navarro High School
Yasmine’s CAP started out as a tree planting and then evolved into something larger. She revitalized the unkept community garden at her school that the Agriculture department is in charge of. As part of her project, she coordinated and led volunteers and students in cleaning up the garden and transformed it into a “Micro Food Forest.”
Abhishek Shresthahe/him/his
Core Values: I believe that the rewards are as sweet as your efforts and that you should always try to smile at least a couple times a day. Even telling the corniest jokes can mean the world to someone.
Passions: I love learning about new things. Finding something new and interesting to do opens a new world of possibilities and makes life all the more fun!
Abhishek joined YFC to try something new. "I never thought about urban-forestry, heck even forestry in general, in Austin. When I heard about the YFC internship, I was super interested. I wanted to be a part of this group and engage with my community.” Abhishek completed over 124 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Seedball Activity at Wells Branch Community Library
Abhishek hosted his very own seed bomb activity at his local community library. He was able to talk to lots of kids and adults about the importance of native plants and urban forestry.
Ryder Thorntonhe/him/his
Core Values: Integrity and respect
Passions: Agriculture and the environment
Ryder joined YFC to promote the urban environment in Austin. He completed over 142 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Blunn Creek Preserve Invasive Species Removal
Ryder partnered with fellow YFC member Raymundo to lead an invasive species removal/brush burn pile project at Blunn Creek Nature Preserve.
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- 2022 Youth Forest Council
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Williamhe/him/his
Core Values: Creativity, friendship, and being open-minded
Passions: The outdoors and helping people
William began interning for YFC because he was enthusiastic about outdoor recreation and aspires to be professional outdoor educator one day. William completed over 92 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Briseidy Alfaroshe/her/hers
Core Values: Kindness and valuing culture
Passions: Youth education, nature, and time with friends
Briseidy joined YFC because she loves to meet new people and explore opportunities outside. Her favorite YFC memory involved snorkeling over an ossified forest in Spring Lake at the Meadows Center in San Marcos. Briseidy completed over 75 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Bilingual eco-literacy at Widen Elementary
Briseidy's project is based in the Dove Springs neighborhood at Widen Elementary where she designed a series of bilingual lessons that educated students about tree species ID, urban agriculture, and eco-literacy.
Esme Moreno-Bernackishe/her/hers
Core Values: Equity, unity with nature, and optimism
Passions: Art, travel, food, nature
Esme joined YFC because she wanted to make an impact in her community! She completed over 80 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education. Her favorite YFC memory was the tree climbing event that taught her how to ascend a rope into a tree.
Community Action Project: Bilingual education for Ridgetop Elementary
Esme created a bilingual program for students in her community at Ridgetop Elementary centered on sustainability, community agriculture, and urban forest education.
Anish Palleyhe/him/his
Core Values: Nature, curiosity, being open-minded
Passions: Gardening, exploring, and learning
Anish joined YFC because he felt passionate about being involved in a program devoted to eco-sustainability. Anish completed over 132 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education. Additionally, Anish has the distinction of being selected as an Urban Forest Fellow to help mentor the next cohort of YFC members.
Community Action Project: McNeil High School tree planting and environmental education
Anish is a winner of a Bright Green Futures Grant ($3,000) with the CoA's Office of Sustainability. His project involves the revitalization of courtyard gardens, tree planting, and engaging special education students in environmental education at McNeil High School.
Lydian DiDonatoshe/her/hers
Core Values: Inclusivity, compassion, and teamwork
Passions: Climate equity, restorative justice, and community building
Lydian joined YFC because she wanted to feel like she was making a difference and fighting climate change in the local sphere. She has completed over 150 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education. Lydian also has the distinction of being selected as an Urban Forest Fellow to help mentor the next cohort of YFC members.
Community Action Project: Environmental education at Oak Springs Elementary
Lydian's project is based out of Oak Springs Elementary, where she'll be providing Project Learning Tree based programming aimed at teaching students the social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees via hands on learning.
Sujana Ganganamanishe/her/hers
Core Values: Empathy and showing up for those in need
Passions: Community service, travel, and justice
Sujana joined YFC because she thought it would be a great chance to meet new people with similar interests. Sujana completed over 62 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: McNeil High School Courtyard Garden
Sujana's CAP was held at McNeil high school, where she partnered with fellow YFC member Anish to organize creation of a courtyard garden.
Emma ChuAll
Core Values: Creative thinking, compassion, and self-expression
Passions: Art and being involved in community
Emma joined YFC when she realized she could use her creativity as a vehicle to enact greater change in the environmental world. Emma completed over 94 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Jamie YoungHe/him/his
Core Values: Sustainable living and being outdoors
Passions: Helping to educate others on the environment, hiking, and being outdoors with his dog
Jamie joined YFC because he wanted to learn how to care for plants and trees both at home and in his favorite green spaces. Jamie completed over 170 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education
Community Action Project: Tree Planting at Roy G. Guerrero Park
Jamie facilitated a tree planting event at Roy G. Guerrero Park, where students and members of the community actively engaged in a day of service through planting over 20 native tree species.
Cain Lyshe/they
Core Values: Persistence, foresight, thoughtfulness
Passions: Real world problem solving
Cain joined YFC thinking it would be the perfect opportunity to gain valuable internship experience with the City of Austin. Cain completed over 230 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Tree planting and Stewardship at Garza High School
Cain is a winner of a Bright Green Futures Grant ($3,000) with the CoA's Office of Sustainability. Her project is centered on the creation of an Adopt-A-Tree program with students at Garza High School, where staff and students were responsible for planting and maintaining a food forest and various other trees and plants throughout the school's campus.
Kylie NolanShe/her/hers
Core Values: Kindness, community, connection
Passions: Exploring the world
Kylie joined YFC because she wanted to learn more about environmental careers and network with Austin’s top eco professionals. She completed over 80 hours of Urban Forestry service dedicated to restoration work and environmental education.
Community Action Project: Nature is Always With Us
Kylie create a StoryMap that documented her travels abroad and her interactions with nature. View Kylie’s StoryMap here: Nature is Always with Us
- 2021 Youth Forest Council
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Avashe/her/hers
Core Values: Empathy, Authenticity, Happiness
Passions: Sustainability, Equity, Freedom of Speech.
Ava applied to be a part of the Youth Forest Council because a family friend of hers offered to write a letter of recommendation for her before she even knew about the program. Her family friend said she felt this was a great opportunity to learn about sustainability – something she is extremely passionate about. After interning for the Youth Forest Council, Ava has solidified her passion for contributing to a more sustainable world. Thanks to this internship, she has officially applied to be a sustainability major in college.
Community Action Project: Preservation Over Innovation
Ava created a story map that focused on the misconceptions about mass tree plantings being the solution to climate change. She worked to inform members of her community that we must preserve our urban forest before we can expand it through helpful maintenance tips.
Check out her Community Action Project here: Preservation Over Innovation (arcgis.com)
Elianashe/her/hers
Core Values: Dependability, Authenticity, Open-mindedness
Passions: Conservation, Equity, Environmentalism
Eliana applied to the Youth Forest Council because she saw it as a good opportunity. She was able to learn more about green careers and how it relates to environmental justice. The internship influenced Eliana to continue her education and pursue a career related to conservation.
Community Action Project: Little Green Library
Eliana’s community action project was the Little Green Library. It is the same concept as a Little Free Library but has an emphasis on complex environmental issues: the climate crisis, pollution, greenhouse gases, etc. She hopes this will educate children and adults in her neighborhood about ways we are harming our planet and ways we can better it, so that we may leave a world for future generations.
Message for the Austin Community:
“It is our responsibility to make sure that humans prosper alongside nature not at the cost of it.”
Check out pictures from her Little Green Library: Little Green Library Pictures
Fionashe/her/hers
Core Values: Connection, Inclusion, Curiosity
Passions: Visual Art, Sustainability, Social Justice
Fiona applied because she was interested in learning more about Austin’s urban forest, green careers, and environmental inequity. She feels that experiences in nature are extremely valuable to all people, and she greatly values her own experiences hiking, exploring, and being outside in green spaces in Austin. She will take away an even greater appreciation of nature and the systems, people, and communities that work to preserve it and make it a more equitable place for all. Because of the Youth Forest Council, she was inspired to pursue a career in environmentalism.
Community Action Project: DisabiliTree: A Film on Disability and Trees
Fiona created a digital StoryMap of her film DisabiliTree: A Film on Disability and Trees. The film explores the experiences of individuals and how they navigate disability and accessibility while maintaining a relationship with trees. She hopes that the film encourages viewers to evaluate accessibility in the natural spaces they enjoy and creates a representation of an underrepresented experience.
Message for the Austin Community:
"Try noticing and acknowledging the trees that surround you in your daily life. Our urban forest always supports us even though we often disregard it. Incorporate tree hugging into your routine, even if it feels silly.”
Check out her storymap and film DisabiliTree: A Film on Disability and Trees
Julietteshe/her/hers
Core Values: Empathy, Justice, Creativity
Passions: Art, Environmental Activism, Literature
Juliette applied to be a member of the Youth Forest Council because she wanted an opportunity to make a difference in the Austin environmental community. She has always wanted to advocate for the environment from a young age and hoped that the Youth Forest Council would be able to provide her with the tools and information she needed to begin doing so. During the internship, Juliette was able to not only learn a lot about advocating for the environment but also pick up many other skills and experiences that could translate to any path of life she chooses to pursue. Youth Forest Council has also made her realize just how important it is that we preserve our wild spaces and bring nature into our city.
Community Action Project: Austin Homegrown Parks
Juliette created an instructional guide on gardening with native plants in the Austin area, to spread the concept of creating Wildscapes to help Austinites build their own.
Message for the Austin Community:
“With our green spaces are getting smaller and smaller, it can be hard to imagine there is anything we can do to help individually. But remember that with every tree you plant, you're providing resources for thousands of native bugs, birds, and animals. Even a single flower makes a difference.”
Check out her infographic: Austin’s Homegrown Parks Infographic (PDF)
Keirashe/her/hers
Core Values: Kindnesses, Action, Understanding
Passions: Nature, Connection, Understanding
Keira applied to YFC because it was just what she needed as a stepping stone to find out the possibilities in green careers and imagining what she could do with her life.
Community Action Project: McCallum Tree Guide and Toolkit for Creating a Tree Appreciation Program on your AISD campus
Keira's CAP grows an appreciation for the heritage trees (trees 24 inches or more in diameter and certain Texas species) on her school campus through personalized tree plaques made by students. On the plaques, there is a nickname, common, and scientific name on the plaque, along with a brochure guide with fun facts about trees and urban forests.
Message for the Austin Community:
“I want everyone to be aware about how much work gets put into taking care and growing an urban forest, and get inspired by the people that do and help spread awareness of how lucky Austin is to be in such a ever improving urban forests.”
Check out her Toolkit and Guide here: Toolkit (PDF) and McCallum Tree Guide (PDF)
Sheridanshe/her/hers
Core Values: Open-mindedness, Fairness, Kindness
Passions: Leadership, Equity, Environmental Justice
Sheridan applied to YFC because she wanted to enhance her knowledge about Austin's urban forest, connect to her community, and continue to practice and put equity at the forefront of her work. After Sheridan’s experience, she has built her network and created a wonderful little free library that she is so proud of.Community Action Project: Little Free Library
Sheridan built and painted Little Free Library with nature and tree-related resources. These resources include wildflower seeds, nature and tree-related books for all ages, tree coloring books, and tree guides. After going to check on the LFL one day, Sheridan actually found that someone had also added food to it, making it a food pantry as well!
Message for the Austin Community:
“My message to the Austin community is to not be afraid to speak out about any issues or concerns you see or experience. There's power in numbers, and a community can work together to bring about change. Learn as much as you can and always keep an equitable lens!”
Check out her Little Free Library Here:
Flyer - Calling all Nature Books (PDF)
Little Free Library Brochure (PDF)
Little Free Library Infographic (PDF)
Check out the photos of the library.
Veronicashe/her/hers
Core Values: Flexibility, Growth, Compassion
Passions: Environmental Conservation, Yoga, Music
Veronica applied to YFC because she wanted to learn more about green careers and forestry. She has learned so much about leadership and professionalism. Veronica is walking away with a better understanding of Austin’s urban forest and the impact it has on the community.
Community Action Project: Project Learning Tree: Brykerwoods Elementary
Veronica received her Project Learning Tree teacher certification during her YFC internship. She returned to her elementary school, Brykerwoods, to teach forestry lessons. She taught a small group of 1st-grade students and a class of 4th-graders. Veronica taught each grade level one Project Learning Tree lesson and lead one tree ID tour, adding up to a total of 4 lessons/visits. It was a great experience, and she will be going back next semester!
Message for the Austin Community:
“Austin is lucky to have the urban forest we do! Protecting it and making sure everyone has access to its benefits is of great importance.”
Check out pictures here: PLT: Brykerwoods
- 2020 Youth Forest Council
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Antoniashe/her/hers
Core Values: Compassion, Inclusion, Empathy
Passions: Engineering, Music, Plants
Antonia had grown interested in environmental science and issues concerning climate change but also wanted to learn more about how these issues directly impact communities. Youth Forest Council seemed like a good way for her to learn more about how important trees and nature are in urban areas, as well as allow her to gain work experience and expose her to professions that she may want to pursue in the future. Nature has always been in her life, providing comfort, places to think, and inspiration.
Community Action Project: Stories Through Nature — Forest Bathing
Antonia partnered with fellow Youth Forest Council members Edgar and Evelyn to create a series of blog posts called Stories Through Nature. The posts highlight the social and emotional benefits of nature through forest bathing and talk about her experience transitioning from high school in Austin to Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.
Message for the Austin Community: "Although it might not seem like it, trees are a fundamental part of our community. They provide so many benefits that, without them, our lives would change drastically."
Britneyshe/her/hers
Core Values: Empathy, Compassion, Growth
Passions: Mental Health, Nature, Physical Health
Britney applied to be a member of the Youth Forest Council to learn more about how she can support Austin's urban forest for the well-being of the community. Being in nature helps her ground herself in the present. It helps calm her mind.
Community Action Project: Youth Forest Gallery
Britney created the Youth Forest Gallery featuring art from young people across Austin that was inspired by trees and what they meant to each young person.
Message for the Austin Community: "Take some time to appreciate the trees in your community! Reflect on how trees have affected you in your life."
Edgarhe/him/his
Core Values: Community, Respect, Grit
Passions: Engineering, Creating Friendships, Social Justice
Edgar applied to the Youth Forest Council to learn about the green spaces in Austin and how important it is to respect that space. Nature was his go-to whenever stressed or just looking for fun. Nature is always there and embracing its beauty makes it more inviting to go out.
Community Action Project: Stories Through Nature — Tree ID
Edgar partnered with fellow Youth Forest Council members Antonia and Evelyn to create a series of blog posts called Stories Through Nature. The posts highlight the social and emotional benefits of nature through tree identification and talk about his experience transitioning from high school in Austin to Boston University.
Message for the Austin Community: "Shade is our friend in Texas during the summer, so we should protect and enjoy our trees’ shade."
Elianeshe/her/hers
Core Values: Passion, Communication, Honesty
Passions: Social Reform, Medical Technology, Freedom of Choice
Eliane wanted to become better connected with the urban forest in her city while helping her community through projects aimed to create urban forestry appreciation among Austin residents. She believes that nature is something that everyone depends on if they realize it or not, and that apart from being a physical necessity for her life, it has become an amazing mental space for her to relax in. She is grateful to have so many nature resources in her community because it is so important to her well-being.
Community Action Project: A Virtual Tour of Swede Hill Pocket Park
Eliane created a virtual tour of Swede Hill Pocket Park in her neighborhood to encourage her neighbors to engage with their nearby nature. She also hoped for people to explore a part of town they may have never seen from their own homes!
Message for the Austin Community: "We have a wonderful gift of our urban forests, so we should use this opportunity to improve our community by caring for our trees in efforts to improve our daily lives, as well as the world around us."
Evelynshe/her/hers
Core Values: Respect, Passion, Open-Mindedness
Passions: Hispanic Culture, Leadership, Education
Evelyn applied because she wanted to give back to nature. After being in a nature-immersive mentorship program during middle school, she felt like it was her responsibility to further educate herself and her community about the environment in hopes of properly maintaining and sharing it. This program helped her grow out of her shell into becoming a better leader and communicator. Nature helped her push her limits (physically and mentally) and it has been a peaceful safe haven at times.
Community Action Project: Stories Through Nature — Tree ID
Evelyn partnered with fellow Youth Forest Council members Antonia and Edgar to create a series of blog posts called Stories Through Nature. The posts highlight the social and emotional benefits of nature through tree identification and talk about her experience transitioning from high school in Austin to the University of Pennsylvania.
Message for the Austin Community: "Trees are there for you, but we are also here for them! We need one another to grow; let nature be the lasting impact you leave for your community."
Isabelshe/her/hers
Core Values: Independence, Ethics, Dependability
Passions: Nature, Animals, Happiness
Isabel applied because she wanted a better understanding of the environmental issues Austin is facing. She believes that a better understanding leads to solutions to create change and she wants to make a change in her community. Isabel believes that she needs the environment around her to be healthy if she wants to be healthy. Nature matters to her because it is what she needs to thrive and live a healthy, happy life.
Message for the Austin Community: "For people to please plant more trees and educate themselves on their benefits. They provide nothing but value in various forms like shade, easing pollution, and cooling down the city."
Kisarashe/her/hers
Core Values: Interconnectedness, Empathy, Curiosity
Passions: Nature, Reading, Knowledge
Kisara applied because she wanted to understand how the city works to care for and protect the urban forest. Secondly, she wanted to experience local government.
Community Action Project: Youth Forest Stewardship Curriculum
Kisara created a Youth Forest Stewardship Curriculum aligned with TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) as a resource for middle school teachers to teach their students about Austin's Urban Forest, sustainability, and more. To learn more about Kisara's curriculum or use it in your own classroom, please email youthforestcouncil@austintexas.gov.
Message for the Austin Community: "Trees provide a multitude of benefits to people, to other creatures, and to the environment. They are integral to the community."
Matthewhe/him/his
Core Values: Authenticity, Compassion, Dedication
Passions: Climate Change, Racial Equity, Gardening
Matthew applied to the Youth Forest Council because he was interested in learning more about trees and nature. This internship also was extremely flexible, so he could participate in addition to being busy at school. Nature has helped him to become more aware of the injustices in the world in terms of pollution and environmental destruction, so he became involved in environmental activism to ensure a sustainable future. He is also a hobbyist gardener, so he really enjoys observing different plants and bugs.
Community Action Project: Barton Creek Greenbelt — An Interactive Map
Matthew created a digital storymap of the Barton Creek Greenbelt so that people with more limited access to nature - during the pandemic or otherwise - could enjoy the greenbelt from their homes.
Message for the Austin Community: "Trees have so many benefits that people need to know about besides providing shade... there are so many creatures that depend on the health of trees to survive, and we need to take them into account when talking about trees."
Maximoshe/him/his
Core Values: Empathy, Foresight, Patience
Passions: Mental Health, Socially Responsible Engineering, Physical Health
Maximos applied to the Youth Forest Council because he wanted to meet people outside of his usual circles while also learning to become a better citizen of Austin. He feels that nature, in its full glory, is an invigorating place to be. Whether it be open and grassy fields or silent and wooded areas, nature has always been where he could find himself and effectively introspect.
Community Action Project: Trees of Central Texas Word Search
Maximos created the Trees of Central Texas Word Search!, which includes tree images and fun facts. He hopes to educate people about our urban forest in a fun and engaging way. Download the Trees of Central Texas Word Search! (PDF)
Message for the Austin Community: "Trees are like transformers, more than meets the eye! I know from personal experience that even if you don't really think about trees all that often, they play a large role in your day-to-day life."
Pearlshe/her/hers
Core Values: Dedication, Respect, Community
Passions: Gun Violence Prevention, Yoga, Hiking
Pearl applied to be a member of Youth Forest Council because she wanted an opportunity to learn about and promote our urban forest. Pearl believes we are so lucky to have such a vibrant urban forest in Austin and Youth Forest Council was a way to appreciate and support it. Nature is important to her because it allows us to connect to the larger ecosystem of life that is present all around us, but we do not always appreciate. Nature allows her to keep a healthy perspective on life and all its challenges.
Community Action Project: Adopt-A-Tree Event
Pearl partnered with TreeFolks to create an "Adopt-A-Tree" event at her high school, LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy), to encourage planting and stewardship of trees. Read an article about Pearl's project in her school paper or view a map of the 100+ trees that Pearl helped distribute.
Message for the Austin Community: "Trees are such a huge part of what keeps Austin weird! By caring for our urban forest today we are preserving our city, and what makes it special, for generations to come."
Thazinshe/her/hers
Core Values: Honesty, Respect, Compassion
Passions: Adventures, Traveling, Being in Nature
Thazin applied for the Youth Forest Council because she wanted to challenge herself by stepping out of her comfort zone. She also wanted to meet new people and knew she was going to gain knowledge and work experience from this Internship. Nature matters to her because it has been a big part of her life. She loves the feeling she gets when she's surrounded by nature. Whenever she feels stressed, unhappy, or any feeling that gives her difficult times, nature is the only place she can go to clear her mind. She feels peace and feels that seeing the beauty we have out in nature is magnificent.
Community Action Project: Inspired by Trees and Nature Video
Working with members of her community, Thazin created a video called Inspired by Trees and Nature to highlight different people's connections to trees, nature, and the outdoors.
Message for the Austin Community: "Trees decorate our world and they protect us from the harsh environment. Everyone knows we can't survive without trees. They give us food to eat, wood to build houses, and they are home for wildlife."
Questions? Email youthforestcouncil@austintexas.gov.