The future of our climate is uncertain and there is no time like the present to prepare our urban ecosystems for the hotter and drier days that are to come. Tree Davis is committed to educating our communities about the importance of urban trees and the practices to maintain them. We believe major change can start with our future leaders.

Thanks to grant funding from CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection), we are able to work with high school students by providing an internship program at select high schools throughout Yolo and Solano County. This grant funds the program to run from January 2023- March 2026.

This internship meets each week for an hour. In sessions, we will learn about and discuss a wide range of topics such as urban forestry design and maintenance, climate change, environmental justice, and civic engagement. This program is for students of all levels of experience and it is a great opportunity for anyone interested in trees.

In addition to what we learn in the classroom, much of this program is spent outside. Together we will be planting Climate-Ready Trees, taking care of existing tree landscapes, and learning new skills for how to steward urban green spaces. Throughout the program, we will have guest speakers from the urban forestry field who specialize in research, local government, and the tree care industry. By the end of the internship, students will have the tools to continue working with trees in their communities or even begin careers in the urban forestry field. Participating students can use this internship towards eligibility for the California State Seal of Civic Engagement.

This spring, we are working with Wolfskill Career Readiness Academy, River City High School, Yolo High School, Da Vinci Charter Academy, Davis Senior High School, and Washington Middle College High School. If you attend one of these campuses and want to join us this semester, reach out to elizabeth@treedavis.org!