| Each year River Walk contracts with Greenagers to provide a program that engages local young people, usually 2-3 individuals in their late teens to early 20’s, as an essential part of the River Walk Team. They are led by a seasoned Greenager Trails Crew leader, and supported by the River Walk Director and the River Walk Horticulturalist. The interns are included in the River Walk Team weekly meetings to review trail conditions, plan for upcoming projects and events, and work together on-site to keep the trail in good condition for visitors. Through this process they learn how to strategize and develop plans to accomplish common goals.
Our Greenagers interns learn to become environmental stewards. They assist in providing weekly care and maintenance of the trail. Their training with the team teaches them to identify non-native and native plant species in order to care for this unique riverside ecological site. The skills learned at River Walk provide the groundwork for interns to become future conservationists.
This program allows each intern to strengthen their own educational goals by developing personalized areas of study and sharing the knowledge they gained in a variety of ways. Interns write blogs, share reports, and help lead special group visits. This place-based experience helps each intern to build confidence and to feel connected to the natural world. |
