Growing the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Through Paid Internships

Picture yourself as a high school student, balancing time with friends, homework, and wondering about what’s next after graduation. One day, a flyer catches your eye—a paid internship with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. You’re intrigued, and the chance to earn some money seals the deal. 

Fast forward to the end of summer: You’ve made new friends, saved up some spending money, and spent more time outdoors than you ever thought you would. At first, the work was tough—dealing with dirt, bugs, and long hours in the sun—but something shifted along the way. You began to enjoy it. You discovered career paths you hadn’t considered and met people who genuinely cared about your future, offering guidance and support as you explored new possibilities. Looking back, it wasn’t just a summer job—it was an opportunity that helped shape your direction. 

This story of transformation isn’t unique. Year after year, we hear similar reflections from our interns. Watching students grow in confidence, skill, and passion for conservation is the reason we stay so dedicated to our mission—empowering the next generation to lead in protecting our environment. 

Meeting the Growing Demand

At the Greenway Trust, our internships provide more than just job experience; they immerse students in hands-on learning that strengthens teamwork, sparks creativity, and builds a deep connection to conservation. Paid internships offer high school students a real chance to explore green careers while taking ownership of their education. 

Since our first internship in 2016, we’ve had an incredible response—engaging 270 interns in meaningful conservation work. But the demand has been overwhelming, with more than 1,700 students applying for these coveted spots, meaning only 1 in 6 applicants can participate. 

To meet this growing demand, we’ve continuously expanded and adapted our programs. Our offerings started with the Clean Water Ambassadors program in 2016. Then in 2021, we launched the Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) program, which gives high school students real-world restoration experience while earning a stipend and school credit. In 2022, we expanded again and introduced the Burien Green Teens program, connecting young people in Burien to local environmental projects and green career pathways. Most recently, in 2024, we launched the Green Careers Hub, an online network designed to connect even more students to valuable career and educational opportunities in the environmental sector. 

As the desire for outdoor learning and green career development continues to grow, we’re committed to finding new ways to expand access and engage students eager to step into conservation leadership.  

> If you want to support the future of the Greenway Trust’s education program, consider making a donation to further this important work. 

Highlights from Our 2024 Internship Season 

In 2024, we offered all three of the aforementioned paid internship programs, engaging 41 total students in nearly 5,000 total hours of education and training. In total, we had about 75 professionals connect with our interns this summer from diverse backgrounds and career pathways, sharing their personal experiences and teaching the interns about different topics and skills along the way.  

Scroll down to see some highlights from our internships this year! 

Clean Water Ambassadors

Burien Green Teens

Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS)

Thank You to Our Internship Funders: 
Environmental Protection Agency, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Flood Control District, Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, WRIA 9 Green/Duwamish Watershed, No Child Left Inside grant program (though the Washington State Parks and the Recreation and Conservation Office), Accenture, and generous private donors.