SLS: Green Space Community Stewardship Intern with Friends of Trees (2025-26 school year)

Friends of Trees inspires people to improve the world around them through a simple solution: Planting Trees. Together.

This position is one of the options for Portland State's Student Leaders for Service program. Please apply to the Student Leaders for Service program to express interest in this opportunity.  To access the application to apply for SLS for the the 2025-26 school year, please visit https://pdx.givepulse.com/event/590919

Friends of Trees is a nonprofit that brings people together to plant and care for trees in urban areas, with a focus on environmental restoration, equity, and community engagement. Since 1989, they have helped plant nearly a million trees and native shrubs in neighborhoods and green spaces across the Portland metro region and beyond. 

Friends of Trees recognizes that not everyone has equal access to the benefit of trees and a breathable neighborhood. As a community driven organization we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and support, and we strive to build places that are safer and healthy for all. We accomplish this through authentic community conversation; unique partnerships; relevant programming; and attracting and retaining diverse staff and supporters. 

The Green Space Stewardship Intern will play a key role in supporting volunteer-based environmental restoration efforts. Working alongside experienced Green Space Specialists, the intern will help coordinate and co-lead community planting events, engage volunteers, and contribute to urban ecosystem sustainability.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist in organizing weekend volunteer events, including tree and shrub planting and ecological restoration efforts.
• Train to serve as a Crew Leader, guiding and supporting volunteers to ensure a safe, inclusive, and engaging experience. 
• Facilitate event registration, welcoming and checking in volunteers upon arrival.
• Welcome and orient volunteers at project sites, providing training on planting techniques and environmental stewardship.
• Conduct outreach to private property owners to promote watershed health and encourage participation in restoration efforts.
• Engage the community by staffing outreach events, recruiting volunteers, and sharing information about green space projects.
• Perform hands-on restoration work, including mulching, invasive species removal, and summer site maintenance using power tools.
• Secure food donations and materials to enhance the volunteer experience.
• Support social media and communications efforts, contributing content to highlight events and impact.
• Follow and uphold safety protocols to maintain a safe working environment for all participants. 

This internship provides hands-on experience in environmental restoration, volunteer engagement, and community outreach, helping to improve local green spaces and promote sustainability efforts. This position aligns with FOT’s commitment to equity and inclusion by creating welcoming, accessible opportunities for all community members to engage in environmental restoration. Whether leading volunteers, securing resources for events, or sharing FOT’s mission through outreach, the intern plays a crucial part in fostering a greener, healthier, and more connected community.

The majority of this internship will be in person at our Saturday volunteer events. However, there are a number of tasks that could occur remotely during the week. These tasks could include: internal FOT team meetings, meetings with supervisor, prepping for events, soliciting donations, developing outreach/education materials, etc. Timing of non-Saturday work is flexible to meet the intern's schedule.

Orientation/Training/Resources provided or required: Training will be comprehensive and include onboarding, Crew Leader training, safety & equipment protocols, equity and inclusion practices, and community engagement strategies. Interns will have access to mentorship and resources such as outreach materials and planting guides.

Skills and knowledge required: 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills – Ability to engage with volunteers, provide clear instructions, and foster a welcoming environment.

• Comfort with public speaking – Willingness to address groups, lead volunteers, and represent FOT at community events.

• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions – Comfortable working on uneven terrain and performing hands-on restoration tasks.

• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs, stand for long periods, and participate in planting and maintenance activities.

• Teamwork and leadership – Ability to collaborate with staff, volunteers, and community members while taking initiative as a Crew Leader.

• Commitment to equity and inclusion – Openness to learning and implementing FOT’s principles of inclusive community engagement.

• Reliability and flexibility – Willingness to work Saturday events throughout the planting season (October – May)

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in volunteer coordination, event planning, or environmental restoration.

• Proficiency in a language other than English is highly encouraged to better engage diverse communities.

• A valid driver’s license is encouraged and reliable transportation

Benefits of this Position:

Serving as a Green Space Stewardship Intern offers valuable hands-on experience in environmental restoration, community engagement, and leadership development, making it an excellent opportunity for students interested in sustainability, ecology, urban planning, or nonprofit work.

Skills & Knowledge Gained:

• Environmental Restoration Techniques – Learn best practices for tree planting, habitat restoration, and watershed health.

• Leadership & Volunteer Management – Gain experience leading groups, coordinating events, and fostering a positive volunteer experience.

• Public Speaking & Community Engagement – Develop confidence in communicating with diverse community members and partners.

• Event Coordination & Outreach – Build skills in organizing volunteer events, securing resources, and conducting outreach to property owners.

• Equity & Inclusion Practices – Learn how to create inclusive and accessible volunteer opportunities that engage diverse communities.

Educational & Career Benefits:

• Networking Opportunities – Connect with professionals in urban forestry, conservation, and nonprofit management.

• Workplace Experience – Develop transferable skills in leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and outdoor fieldwork.

• Exposure to Environmental Careers – Gain insight into career paths in sustainability, environmental education, and community-based restoration.

Community Impact:

By participating in this internship, students will directly contribute to improving urban forests, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering stronger community connections. Their work will leave a lasting impact by helping to plant and care for trees that will benefit neighborhoods for generations to come.

Schedule & Time Commitment: Interns would be required to serve a minimum of 4-6 hours/week. FOT could accommodate more than 6 hours/week if that option was available from SLS coordinators. Saturday mornings from 8-1 (at a minimum) would be necessary for internship success. Additional 1-3 hours/week could be available remotely, timing of remote work could be flexible.

Location & Transportation: This position would be primarily field-based; project sites could be located across the tri-county Portland metro area and will vary by week. The office is in inner NE Portland directly accessible on Tri-met 6 bus line: 3117 NE MLK Blvd, Portland OR 97212

Line 6 stops right in front of the Friends of Trees office and is about a 25 minute ride from the PSU campus. For planting days, sites are all over the metro area. Depending on the location, a transit trip to a planting event may take about an hour or less from the PSU campus.

Supervision: The SLS member would report to Green Space Program Manager, Michelle Yasutake.