2026 Internships
All internship positions are currently unpaid. However, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) travel card for travel within New York City, college credit, and work sponsorship for international students are available. Please see below for the available positions.
Please Email us at aresh@moregardens.org to the Required list below or the online form below.
2026 Summer Internship Positions:
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Greening Grants and Fundraising Intern
Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: New York City
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Grants and Outreach Intern will help More Gardens! raise funding and build the relationships that keep our community green spaces growing. The intern will research funding opportunities, help build relationships with prospective funders and partners, and support writing and preparing proposals and reports.
This role is as much about people as paperwork. It suits someone who enjoys reaching out, building relationships, and telling More Gardens!' story to funders and partners directly, not just writing it down.
Responsibilities
Research foundation, corporate and government funding opportunities.
Reach out to prospective funders and partners and build relationships.
Review eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and application deadlines.
Maintain a grant prospect list, application calendar and submission tracker.
Help assess whether opportunities are a good fit for More Gardens! projects.
Writing Grants, draft letters of inquiry, proposal sections and supporting materials.
Assist with budgets, timelines, and project work plans.
Collect program information, community data, photographs and impact stories.
Help maintain reusable organizational information for future applications.
Support grant reporting and communication with funders when needed.
Take part in strategy discussions on which funders and partnerships More Gardens! prioritizes for long-term growth.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: fundraising, grants management, nonprofit development, community program or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Outgoing and comfortable reaching out to new people and building relationships.
Strong research and writing skills.
Attention to detail and ability to follow application requirements.
Ability to organize information and manage deadlines.
Comfort using Google Docs, Google Sheets or similar tools.
Interest in nonprofit development, community programs or environmental justice.
Based in or connected to the Lower East Side or greater New York City community is a plus.
Previous grant writing or fundraising experience is preferred but not required.
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: Project sites across the Lower East Side and South Bronx, including PS 20, PS 140, Port Morris Waterfront, and Maria Sola Therapeutic Garden, with possible work at the SUNY ESF Tulley Field Station.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role - The Living Architecture and Eco-Sculptural Design Intern supports More Gardens! turn ideas for natural playgrounds, living tree structures, and pedestrian community green spaces into buildable designs. The Intern will work across active projects including the PS 140 natural playground (Nathan Straus Playground, on Rivington Street and Attorney Street (between Clinton Street and Ridge Street)), the Port Morris Waterfront living tree amphitheater, living willow installations rooted in sacred geometry, pedestrian street transformations on Stanton Street and Lincoln Avenue, Maria Sola Therapeutic Garden, and the SUNY ESF Tulley Field Station installation.
This role blends technical design skills with hands-on community building: the Intern will produce architectural drawings and spatial models, then help lead the community in bringing those designs to life through willow weaving, timber carpentry, and natural building.
Responsibilities
Render 2D and 3D architectural drawings and spatial models (AutoCAD, Rhino/Grasshopper, SketchUp) for natural playgrounds, pocket forests, and living tree structures across green and paved urban spaces.
Research sacred geometry principles and culturally rooted patterns to develop clear, participatory build sheets the community can build from.
Conduct participatory design charrettes and community research at Children's Magical Garden and partner Bronx locations.
Lead hands-on living willow weaving, green timber carpentry, and natural building sessions with neighborhood families and youth participants.
Co-design pedestrian-only street activations and roadside community parklets that meet DOT and municipal guidelines.
Conduct spatial-use mapping, structural durability reviews, and post-occupancy evaluations with children and community members to see how completed builds are actually used.
Qualifications
Background or coursework in architecture, landscape architecture, environmental design, sculpture or a related field.
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Proficiency with AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp or similar design software.
Interest in natural building techniques, sacred geometry and culturally rooted design traditions.
Comfortable and experienced leading hands-on building sessions with children and families in an outdoor setting; background check required.
Willingness to travel periodically to project sites in the South Bronx, Lower East Side, and Catskills.
Interest in environmental and social justice.
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: Pocket park and street tree sites across the Lower East Side and South Bronx, including Maria Sola Greenspace and Stanton Street Open Streets.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Urban Pocket Parks and Green Corridors Stewardship Intern helps More Gardens! grow resilient green infrastructure in dense urban corridors, from mini-reforestation pocket forests to South Bronx street tree beds developed in partnership with South Bronx Unite. Project sites include Delancey and Houston Street medians and traffic-calming medians, tree pits on Stanton Street Open Streets, and the surrounding PS 20 / PS 140 schools.
The role combines hands-on ecological restoration with community stewardship: cultivating native plant communities and healthy soil, while also coordinating workdays and mentoring youth apprentices in green land care.
Responsibilities
Cultivate resilient native perennial plant communities, living willow installations, and wildlife habitat across high-density urban corridors.
Implement eco-friendly permeable surfaces, soil regeneration strategies and sub-surface irrigation to support healthy street tree pits.
Research, design, and implement eco-friendly planters with compatible soil and watering strategies, including sub-surface irrigation and water storage, to support healthy street planter habitat.
Coordinate community green space workdays and mentor youth apprentices in green land care.
Maintain on-site tool and workspace safety.
Track urban biodiversity gains, tree canopy health, soil vitality improvements, and stormwater capture across planting beds and planters to help measure the impact of this work.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Academic background in urban agroecology, botany, environmental studies or a similar field of study required.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, or are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Academic background in ecology, horticulture, landscape restoration, environmental studies, or a similar field of study required.
Comfortable with hands-on physical work outdoors, including planting, soil work and basic construction.
Previous professional work experience in the above areas is a plus, as is volunteer experience.
Reliability and respect for shared tools, spaces and safety practices.
Interest in environmental and social justice.
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: Children's Magical Garden and partner sites across the Lower East Side and South Bronx, including Maria Sola youth programs.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full time and part time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Nature Play and Community Eco-Arts Education Fellow designs and leads nature-based art and play programming for children and families. The Intern will work primarily in the Lower East Side at Children's Magical Garden's outdoor nature labs and adjacent Open Streets “Sprouting Justice” festivities, and in Mott Haven with the Rise Up! Forest the Bronx! Children's family programs and cultural activations, using natural materials like soil, living and fallen plants, earth pigments, clay, botanical fibers, and stones.
This role is about creating a genuinely welcoming space for learning: building curricula around community gardens, treehouses, and natural playgrounds for school groups, including PS 20 and PS 140 children ages 8 to 13, and multi-generational families, and supporting the visiting performers, eco-artists, and storytellers who bring the community garden's weekend gatherings to life.
Responsibilities
Facilitate interactive, nature-based art workshops in community gardens, open streets, nature playgrounds, and treehouses, using raw wood, stones, water, natural earth pigments, clay, botanical fibers, and living trees such as willow rods and climbing vines.
Develop welcoming, nature-centered play curricula for school groups (including PS 20), children ages 8–13, and multi-generational families.
Support visiting performers, eco-artists, and community storytellers during weekend amphitheater gatherings and garden celebrations.
Use observation tools, youth creative feedback journals, and family engagement surveys to help evaluate learning and wellness outcomes.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: art education, environmental education, social practice, or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, or are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Comfortable and experienced leading hands-on activities with children in group settings; background check required.
Creative, patient, and adaptable when working across different age groups.
Experience with natural or fine art materials is a plus but not required.
Interest in environmental and social justice.
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: New York City
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Public Policy and Land Advocacy Intern will support More Gardens!' work to expand and protect accessible, community-stewarded green spaces across New York City, with a focus on green open space preservation, community land tenure, DOT Open Streets regulations, schoolyard greening policies, and environmental justice advocacy.
The intern will research policies related to community green spaces, housing, land use, schools, streets, and climate resilience. They will help identify policy gaps, develop practical proposals, and support engagement with City Council members, city agencies, researchers, and community organizations.
Responsibilities
Research municipal policies, land-use frameworks, and zoning laws affecting community green spaces, school playgrounds, and green corridors.
Analyze city agency guidelines, including those from DOT, NYC Parks, and DEP, to craft policy briefs and reform proposals to permanently protect community green spaces.
Examine how housing, land use, Open Streets regulations, and climate policy intersect with community green spaces.
Identify gaps in existing policies and possible areas for reform.
Research examples and good practices from other cities.
Track municipal legislation, attend public hearings, and map elected officials, city agencies, community organizations, and other partner coalitions.
Prepare short research notes, presentations, and speaking points.
Support public policy dialogues that bring together community members, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
Bridge community feedback, including input gathered at design charrettes, directly into formal policy proposals and advocacy campaigns.
Help map progress against policy campaign milestones and check that More Gardens!' positions stay consistent across different municipal agencies.
Take part in strategy discussions on which policy opportunities and partnerships More Gardens! should prioritize, as well as the research behind them.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: public policy, public administration, urban planning, environmental studies, law, or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, or are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Strong research and writing skills.
Ability to explain complex policy information in clear language.
Interest in community-informed policymaking.
Commitment to environmental justice and equitable access to community green space.
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: New York City, with periodic site visits across the Lower East Side, South Bronx, and Catskills project locations.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Eco-Narrative, Digital Media and Storytelling Intern documents More Gardens!' work as it happens, or from previous footage, from early participatory sketches to finished neighborhood sanctuaries. The intern will maintain the organization's archives across Miro and Google Photos, Signal group updates, and public-facing web platforms and exhibitions.
The role blends documentation with storytelling: capturing photo and video of builds in progress, then turning that material into case studies, newsletters, and social features that celebrate community voices, youth achievements, and grassroots partners.
Responsibilities
Capture photo and video documentation tracing builds from participatory sketches and raw saplings to finished neighborhood sanctuaries.
Produce case studies, digital newsletters and social features celebrating community voices, youth achievements and grassroots partners.
Update website content and manage digital media repositories and archives.
Create bilingual on-site interpretive signage.
Track digital reach and keep media assets and community testimonial archives organized to support organizational learning.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: storytelling, visual communications, digital media, journalism, or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Comfort with photo and video editing tools and basic website content management.
Strong, clear writing skills, with an eye for storytelling.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a strong plus, given the bilingual signage work.
Organized, with an eye for keeping media archives easy for others to use.
Interest in environmental and social justice.
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: Lower East Side and South Bronx, New York City.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Grassroots Development and Community Outreach Fellow builds and strengthens More Gardens!' relationships across the Lower East Side and South Bronx, from tenant associations and public schools to cultural groups and grassroots partners like South Bronx Unite. The Fellow will help grow community coalitions, recruit volunteers, and run neighborhood-level fundraising and outreach.
This role is grounded in direct, on-the-street relationship building: organizing outreach campaigns and neighborhood charrettes for new pocket parks and play spaces, and mobilizing volunteers for seasonal planting days, willow builds, and public events.
Responsibilities
Cultivate relationships with local tenant associations, public schools, cultural groups, and grassroots partners like South Bronx Unite.
Organize community outreach campaigns, street-level engagement and neighborhood charrettes for new pocket parks and play spaces.
Mobilize volunteers for seasonal planting days, living willow builds and public presentations.
Coordinate grassroots peer-to-peer fundraising drives, community donation hubs and special celebration events.
Track volunteer retention, outreach participation demographics, coalition network growth and neighborhood partnership strength.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: community organizing, nonprofit outreach, social work or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, or are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Outgoing and comfortable with direct, street-level community outreach.
Based in or connected to the Lower East Side or South Bronx community is a plus.
Comfortable coordinating volunteers and multiple moving parts at once.
Interest in environmental and social justice.
Fluency in Spanish and Mandarin is a plus!
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Also referred to internally as the Earth-Wealth and Green Capital Planning Intern.
Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: New York City (hybrid), supporting project budgeting across the Lower East Side, South Bronx, and Catskills Ecovillage Center.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Eco-Resource Regeneration and Green Financial Planning Intern helps More Gardens! plan and track the money behind its builds. The intern will support project budgeting across multiple sites, including green capital campaign modeling for the Catskills Ecovillage and urban pocket parks, foundation grant pipelines, and project cash-flow planning.
This role suits someone comfortable moving between numbers and narrative: building cost models and financial projections, while also helping research and draft the grant proposals that fund the work.
Responsibilities
Build dynamic project budgets, expense tracking sheets and material cost models for architectural builds, living sculptures and educational series.
Research, draft and assemble foundation grant proposals and public funding applications focused on environmental justice, urban forestry and public arts.
Model financial projections and cash flows for upcoming infrastructure phases and capital development campaigns.
Reconcile project spending, organize vendor and material invoices, and help ensure compliance with funding milestones.
Audit budget-to-actual variance, track grant application success rates and generate cost-benefit summaries for completed installations.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: nonprofit finance, sustainable economics, development or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, or are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Comfort building budgets and financial models in Google Sheets, Excel or similar tools.
Strong attention to detail and comfort working with numbers and financial records.
Interest in grant writing or fundraising is a plus.
Interest in environmental and social justice, and in how capital projects get funded and built.
Nonprofit experience and education are a plus!
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Organization: More Gardens! Fund
Location: New York City, with organization-wide coordination across Lower East Side, South Bronx and Catskills project sites.
Duration and Work Format: September 2026 onward. Full time and part time opportunities are available. Positions may be in person or hybrid, depending on the role and project needs.
About the Role
The Green Nonprofit Management and Impact Assessment Fellow supports the central operations that keep More Gardens! running across a dynamic, small team spanning urban and rural sites. The Fellow will coordinate internal workflows and project tracking tools, help design and run organization-wide impact measurement, and author the organization's public-facing Annual Impact Report and board materials.
This role suits someone who can move fluidly between operations, data and storytelling: reviewing archival records and existing program data to synthesize the organization's impact across the Lower East Side, South Bronx and Catskills, combining participant feedback with community stories, and translating all of it into materials, and eventually an organization-wide impact framework, that communicate clearly to the public, funders and leadership alike.
Responsibilities
Coordinate internal operational workflows, project tracking tools (such as Gantt charts, Google Workspace, Miro and Signal), and team connectivity across urban and rural sites.
Design and deploy qualitative and quantitative impact measurement tools, including surveys, observation frameworks and interviews with participants, families, staff and community partners, across all community green space, build and education tracks.
Analyze survey results and identify important findings.
Review archival records to synthesize historical community impact and track seasonal progress across Lower East Side, South Bronx and Catskills projects.
Prepare internal assessment reports, charts and learning notes that translate findings into concrete recommendations for future programs.
Author and help design the organization's public-facing Annual Impact Report, grant reports, board memos and organizational slide decks, blending program data with visual storytelling.
Help ensure ethical, community-centered data stewardship and privacy practices across all documentation and participant feedback systems.
Take part in conversations with organizational leadership on how impact findings should shape future program and funding strategy.
Preserving and nurturing community green spaces is part of More Gardens!' culture; every affiliate is expected to contribute some time to community green spaces and/or meaningful community engagement, depending on individual circumstances and interest.
Qualifications
Graduate students or senior undergraduates with an exceptional track record are preferred.
Preferred academic focus: nonprofit management (MPA), strategic communications, MEL or a related field.
If you live in Mott Haven and its immediate vicinity in the Bronx, or on the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or if you have Indigenous heritage, or are an experienced community gardener, the qualifications above are flexible: genuine enthusiasm for contributing to community green spaces matters most, and we welcome applicants from high school age onward with no hard academic requirement.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with comfort managing multiple workflows and tools at once.
Comfort with both data and design; able to turn program data into a clear, compelling report or deck.
Comfort using Google Forms, Google Sheets, Excel, or similar tools.
Ability to work across a small, close-knit team spanning multiple project sites.
Interest in environmental and social justice.
Nonprofit experience and education are a plus!
Possible Internships Positions from previous years:
Please respond to the above form with your preferred internship position/s
Architectural Design and Drawing for an Ecovillage, Summer based in NYC FULL TIME
NYC Summer Environmental Education Internship FULL TIME
Art Administrator for NYC Environmental Artist Summer Intern FULL TIME
Art Administrator for NYC Environmental Artist Fall 2018 Intern PART TIME
NYC Making Art in the Environment Internship Summer Internship FULL TIME
Design of Super Green Building integrated with a community garden in NYC FULL TIME
Environmental Business Plan for Ecovillage (in Hudson Valley) based in NYC Summer Intern FULL TIME
Environmental Business Plan for an Ecovillage (Hudson Valley) based in NYC, Fall internship PART TIME or FULL TIME
Architectural Design and Drawing for an Ecovillage (in Hudson Valley) - Fall 2018 Internship based in NYC PART TIME or FULL TIME
Social Media Advocacy and Outreach SUMMER Intern FULL TIME
Your Own Preferred Internship Position - Please Name & Describe in detail
More Gardens' Summer 2021 Interns
Carolyn Considine
Carolyn is the co-founder of a national nonprofit called Meaningful Teens, an organization that provides remote literacy to hundreds of underserved children. Meaningful Teens partners with other nonprofits, including Mercy Housing, one of the nation's largest low-income housing organizations. Carolyn was profiled on the Difference Maker segment by KCBS radio and served as a panelist on the California Governor's Office of Volunteering webinar. Separately, Carolyn is the first-ever youth advisor on her county’s art commission, where she develops art advocacy content. During her tenure, Carolyn led a collaborative youth art effort called Project We and developed the Youth Justice Murals program.
Michaela Elias
Michaela Elias, an installation, sculpture, textile and mixed media artist was born in New York in 1997 and currently resides in Seattle, WA. Her current work consists of transformation that her and her body of work are continuously emerging out of her shell with a number of processes. She has graduated from Cornish College of the Art in Seattle, WA in May, 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA) with honors. Throughout her college years she participated in a few group exhibitions at Cornish College of the Arts such as DIY, Platforms of Exchange and the closet gallery. She received a Merit scholarship for four years at Cornish College of the Arts, the highest scholarship available. She worked with Anish Kapoor twice during the summers in the last few years.
Mateo Escobosa
University of Maryland- My name is Mateo Escobosa. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland studying architecture. I have spent that past couple years studying sustainable systems in architecture and finding ways that those ideas can be used to increase biophilia in our built environment. I am currently living in a small town just off of campus with my girlfriend and our 5-year-old Australian Cattle dog, Garfunkel. I spend most of my free time hiking, camping, traveling, and taking/developing my own film photographs.
Priyanka Godhwani
Hi, I am Priyanka. I am an industrial design and User experience design student with a drive to learn more and explore every aspect of life, perseverance and abstractness are the things valued the most in my perspective, striving towards constant development and experimentation of myself and the skills I have. Existing is not the only need of the hour, celebrating every second is. A jack of all trades is still better than a master of one.
Bianca Jimenez
University of Scranton- Hello, my name is Bianca, I am a rising senior at the University of Scranton. I am pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and I am so appreciative for the opportunity to participate at More Gardens. I am a lover of the arts, food, languages, and nature. I hope to make a difference in peoples lives and more importantly to sustain the earth for the future. I have many interest and hobbies such as reading, cooking, watching movies, and overall I love learning new things. I am somewhat of an only child, and only have a few close friends but I love meeting and getting to know new people.
Alex Kasel
Pratt Institute- Hi, I'm Alex (they/them). I am a rising sophomore at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where I study Industrial Design and Creative Writing. I want to use these mediums to combine art and technology for environmental aid. As president of my political debate club in high school and current member of XR Youth NYC, I am passionate about social/climate justice, and look forward to engaging with nature this summer as an Environmental Art intern at More Gardens. I also look forward to interactions with community members, as I used to be an assistant teacher at my local art center. Some of my other hobbies include painting, reading, camping and karate!
Nina Liloia
Barnard College- I’m currently a student Barnard College, where I study Political Science and Environmental Science. I especially enjoy learning about sustainable agriculture and renewable energy. This summer, I’m working as an Art and Policy Intern with More Gardens. I believe that great policy is created by working alongside local governments, community organizations, businesses, and city residents. I hope to craft policies that benefit all of these groups by increasing the amount of green space in NYC and promoting well-being and health equity among urban residents. In my free time, I love running, reading, listening to classic rock, and exploring new places with my friends.
Christian Ramirez
Hello, I am a Chicago native with a passion for environmental solutions to common issues caused by climate change such as drought and flooding or issues that exacerbate global warming such as the urban heat island effect. I received my high school diploma and Associate of Arts in Web Graphics Design within the same year from DeVry University Advantage Academy which was located in the North Center community of Chicago. My background knowledge of various areas throughout the city in combination with my ability to communicate in both English and Spanish makes me very passionate about one day being able to make a difference in every community of Chicago and eventually more places throughout the United States that also may need help. I hope to apply the knowledge that I have gained in Landscape Architecture along with my skillsets of geospatial analysis that I have acquired through my Urban Planning courses in programs such as RStudio and ArcGIS in order to help make an effective and meaningful impact across communities everywhere.
Andrew Rivera
I am an American rapper, singer, songwriter and producer, based in New Jersey. I have a huge passion for music, starting from when I learned to play the saxophone in 5th grade, and later learning to make beats. I have been making music for 4+ years and uploaded my first YouTube beat in July of 2016. On December 30, 2018, I released my debut single "see u," beginning my journey as an artist. Following that, I would continue to write/produce my own songs, with the latest being "sundown." I am constantly creating new music and working on new projects, looking to find a place in the music industry.
Ruby Rosenfeld
Kenyon College- I am a rising sophomore majoring in English with a concentration in Women’s and Gender Studies and minoring in Studio Art. Throughout my life, art and photography have served as an outlet and voice to my big opinions, ideas, and dreams. I believe that there is a certain power within the visual that goes beyond the verbal and material. As the Photo Archivist and Documentation Intern, I hope to hone this power and continue to use photography as an expressive force to support More Gardens! When I am not walking the streets of NYC with my camera, you will most likely find me baking, blasting music, or spending hours in Central Park with my friends. I am very grateful to join the More Gardens! team and I look forward to sharing their message through photography.
Yin To Wong
University of Michigan- Hi! My name is Yin To, and I am a 19 year old architecture student from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I am working to become an architect that is conscious of culture, inclusivity, and the environment. This has manifested through the years I spent in Hong Kong and the trips that I had with my family over summer holidays, exploring foreign cultures and practices. If I am not focusing on becoming an architect, I am probably watching tv shows or the like, playing videogames with friends, drawing, or eating. I am very happy to be part of this internship and I am looking forward to contributing.
More Gardens' Spring 2021 Interns
Atiya Byrom
Spelman College- Hi, my name is Atiya! I am a graduating senior at Spelman College as well as a Grant Writing Intern with More Gardens, and I enjoy using my skills to contribute to the exciting advancements taking place in environmental industries and educating others on how to live more sustainable lives. In my free time, I love writing screenplays, painting, and learning more about environmental justice!
Minerva Macarrulla
Oberlin College- Minerva Macarrulla is a student of Environmental Studies and Comparative American Studies at Oberlin College, with pathways (focuses) on food & agriculture studies and histories & practices of social change. Minerva was born to British and Dominican parents and raised in Brooklyn. Currently, she blogs for prospective students on her college's website and has a leadership position in a student organization called Obies for Undocumented Inclusion. Some of her interests include massage, the moon, dance improvisation, food justice, writing, Disney "kids'" animations, long walks, somatics, and talking to plants.
Leah Rosenthal
Oberlin College- Leah Rosenthal is a new intern working with the More Gardens! Coalition. She has lived in Brooklyn, NY all of her life, but is a current student at Oberlin College studying Creative Writing. Besides writing, she has a lot of love for music and dancing, creating and appreciating art, cooking and eating delicious food, spending time in nature, and being surrounded by lovely people. She also loves long and thoughtful conversations, as well as silly and laughter-filled ones. She is passionate about social justice and imagining and working towards a more free and just world. She is so excited to be a part of the More Gardens! team.
Rachel Serebryansky
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry- Hello! My name is Rachel and I am currently a student at SUNY ESF. My major is in environmental health with a focus in the built environment. I love painting and exploring the art scene in NYC and around the world :)
More Gardens' Summer 2020 Interns
Madison Abdul (MJ)
Wheaton College- I am grateful to be able to express myself through various forms of art, both auditory and visual. I am even more gracious to share these talents with others in a way that pushes the boundaries of thought and imagination. Ever growing and learning, I find that collaborating with others and opening myself up to unfamiliar territories is where I thrive. A native New Yorker, I’ve always longed to be more immersed in nature. I felt my urban surroundings never offered enough exposure to the outdoors. Now, I am overjoyed to be able to aid in promoting More Gardens’ messages, while continuing to explore myself artistically, musically, spiritually and educationally.
Lindsey Parmett
Florida State University- Hi!! My name is Lindsey Parmett (she/her), I'm a 20 year old environmental activist/student from Long Island, New York. I firmly believe in the elimination of single use plastics, reusable energy, and keeping our oceans clean! When I'm not protesting for climate change or environmental policy, you can find me running the track, playing soccer, reading/studying, crocheting, and hanging out with my friends. I am an animal lover, and my favorite animal and my dream future pet is a chameleon! I feel most at peace when surrounded by nature, specifically the trees. I’m very excited to work with the community in educating about the beauties of the natural world.
Juliette Groarke (JT)
Bard College- My name is Juliette but people have been calling me JT for a while now-I've been really into sports for a long time, which is how I got that nickname, and I think that physical exercise is a great way to engage with kids. I'm currently an environmental food and agriculture studies major at Bard College, so naturally I also love cooking in my spare time. I've been fortunate and have lived for a majority of my life in different parts of Africa (Egypt, Morocco, South Africa now), which has given me the opportunity to experience other cultures, and has given me insight on different agricultural and environmental practices abroad. I have also been a counselor at Ramapo for Children, a summer camp for children currently in the foster care system, or with special needs, in Upstate New York. I love working with this community because it fosters a space for acceptance and understanding, and celebrates all abilities. I am very excited to now be involved with More Gardens and combine my compassion for the environment with my joy of working with children and families. I am also looking forward to learning so much more than I can imagine from everybody in the community.
Lindsay Knight
Hofstra University- I'm Lindsay Knight, one of More Gardens' Summer 2020 Video Interns. I joined the More Gardens! team because I believe, more than anything, in the power and importance of our communities and our relationships with one another. Connecting with others and allowing people to be their true selves are some of the best things that we can do in this world and for each other. Currently, I'm a rising senior majoring in Television and Video Production at Hofstra University, where I work on a number of different projects from entertainment to sports to news. In my spare time, I love reading outside, cooking and baking all different kinds of food, writing stories, hanging out with my friends, and playing video games.
Vinisha Narendran
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA- I grew up in the quaint and chaotic town of Coimbatore in India.
I think of myself as an extremely curious individual who is very passionate about the issues I chose to understand and tackle through design. I love to cook and bake and believe that there is nothing a good rose pepper pavlova can't fix.
The dream is to start my own Architecture and research-based design station with a bakery attached to it where I'll brew some strong coffee by myself every morning and give it to the whole neighborhood for free in exchange for some good karma.
Aparajita Rao
Syracuse University- They/them. Architect. More to come….
Sophia Featherstone
DePauw University- My name is Sophia Featherstone (she/her) and I am an aspiring environmental documentary filmmaker studying English Literature at DePauw University. I have experience as a videographer for a grassroots recycling project called Precious Plastic DePauw, and for an organization called the Sustainability Leadership Program where my role has been to document the sustainability initiatives led by both groups, the people involved, and the impacts that they made on campus and in the larger community. I think that storytelling, especially in the form of filmmaking, is one of the most powerful and widely reaching mediums that can amplify voices, and explore/uncover pressing issues concerning climate change, environmental justice, environmental policy, and so much more. As a documentary video intern at More Gardens, I am ecstatic to be able to tell parts of More Gardens' story and help to illustrate their mission to preserve community gardens in New York City, as well as the community, culture, and stories that these gardens hold.
Miranda Lee
Sarah Lawrence- I graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in May 2019, where I studied writing, social sciences, film and theater. Since college, I have contributed my writing, research and administrative abilities to various non-profit organizations dedicated to the arts and community. Currently, I am serving on an advisory committee for the Museum of Moving Image’s upcoming award ceremony dedicated to media makers on the spectrum. I have also worked as an Arts Administration Apprentice at the New York City Children’s Theater and volunteered as a pre-selection committee member for ReelAbilities 2020 and 2021 Film Festivals. I am excited to be a part of More Garden’s team and eager to spread their message as a grant writer intern!
Marco Garcia-Duarte
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Hello my name is Marco and I'm from Seattle, WA. I am an Architectural Engineering student and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. I am interested in many forms of expressionism with architecture being one of them. In combination with that I have worked each summer for 12 years at a summer camp in Washington learning and teach about survival, plants, animals and anything in between.
Dean Bailey
Howard University- I am a third-year architecture major in the five-year Masters of Architecture program at Howard University. I grew up in northern Virginia right outside of D.C., and I live in southern Maryland. Feel free to connect with me on matters of sustainability in design, community efforts to improve built environments, or on matters of social justice. Visit my portfolio at Cxtreem.com, to see what I am working on!
Nicole Wang
West Windsor Plainsboro High School- My name is Nicole Wang. I joined More Gardens because I believe the absolute most must be done to preserve our environment. As a community, we must repair the damages the Earth has suffered. More Gardens is an organization that focuses on rebuilding and educating; as well as, helping those in need. Through a marriage of art, science, and the humanities, we can unite our society with love and respect for the planet and all organisms that inhabit it.
Charlie Lott
Furman University- My name is Charlie Lott and I am a rising senior at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where I am studying economics and sustainability science. I'm currently based out of Washington, D.C. In my free time I love playing ultimate frisbee and creating videos for my university's daily news and announcements show, FUNC. I spent last summer as an economic degrowth research intern at the Institute for Political Ecology in Zagreb, Croatia. At More Gardens! I will be working as a part of the video production team to document the organization's many projects.
Amanda Ennis
Connecticut College- I am a rising senior double majoring in Environmental Studies and Studio Art passionate about sustainable food systems and ceramic sculpture from New York City. Citi Bike is my form of meditation, and nothing beats the feeling of coasting down a bridge at full speed. The one true love of my life is ceramics, and I have been pursuing this passion in college through my own vessel work and as a Teaching Assistant. The problem is, ceramics as an art medium is traditionally not very energy conscious due to constant large kiln firings and the mining for raw materials, so I have been contemplating my desire to create for my own expression with an environmental conscience. My obsession is Survivor, the television series where contestants get voted off an island, and while studying abroad last semester doing fieldwork in Costa Rica I never missed an episode.
Josselyn Rivera
North Carolina State University- I am an environmental science major focusing on environmental law and regulations. I've always been fascinated by NYC so getting to use my talents and new found knowledge to help improve this place is one of my most important goals. I am currently one of the educational interns at More Gardens! I am so excited that I get to teach younger generations about what sustainability looks like. I’m also grateful I get to learn what it’s like to care about the environment through their lenses. I can’t wait to learn from those around me and grow our love for this city, our environment, and our world all together.
Alex Maunus
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- I am a twenty-year-old artist, organizer, and dad joke enthusiast. Born and raised in South Florida, I grew up with a deep appreciation for nature. I love hiking, kayaking, hammock-swinging, and writing, preferably in forests or sunlit patches of grass. I am a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I am majoring in Environmental Studies and in Social Movements & Storytelling. I love all forms of radio and audio documentary, and I am working toward a certificate at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies. I am happiest when using art to affect social change, and I am always down for a messy crafting session or a trip to the thrift store!
More Gardens' Spring 2018 Interns
Zhijing Zhao
Baruch College- Started with More Gardens after graduating High School in 2017. She is determined and dedicated. As our assistant accountant; she entered the business field when she was a sophomore at HS, taking Accounting and Entrepreneurship class. She attended the Financial Backpack Program that is conducted by Financial Women's Association. Participated in the Futures and Options pre-internship program developing her career readiness skills, such as team cooperation, communication, and presentation. Her accountability started at home as the only child speaking English for her household, translating, checking her parents' income check, mapping the routes of working places, paying utility bills etc.
Bailey Thetford
Essex Street Academy- My name is Bailey Thetford and I am an 18 year old senior in highschool. I go to Essex Street Academy and am planning to go to college next year, not sure where at though yet! I’m planning to major in computer science and minor in environmental science. I love animals, the environment, outer space, and just science in general. For hobbies, I am into cross stitching, drawing, painting, playing guitar, video games, reading, and learning. I love being a part of this internship and I couldn’t have made a better choice!
Madelin Orr
Sarah Lawrence College- Madelin is a design and arts intern with More Gardens! Her interests are social and environmental justice. She is a current almost-graduate-college student. Former ardent ballet dancer. Rescuer of animals. And lover of NYC. Madelin views community as a watering hole— sometimes it literally sustains us with food and drink, but it also provides a system for supporting each other, expressing ourselves to each other, stimulating each other, and enjoying life together. Madelin’s first and most special community is in the Bay Area in California, where she is from.
Iris Wechsler
Barnard College- Iris is a junior at Barnard College studying Visual Arts and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She loves to paint, draw, collage, tear, cut, glue, smear, and anything at all to do with making art. You can find her climbing, jumping, walking, camping, and anything at all to do with adventure. She hopes to be a professional artist and part-time explorer. Iris considers herself an optimist and is committed to seeing the best in people (and bringing out the best in people). Her hero is her dog, Molly, a canine like no other. She is thrilled to be part of the More Gardens! team and believes deeply in the power of art and community gardens.
