City Plants Internship
Tess E., Spring 2025
From the beginning of this semester, I wanted to understand what nonprofit work looks like in pr
actice, especially in sustainability and urban greening. City Plants has given me that and more. I’ve been able to work on everything from outreach strategies and fundraising to event planning and content design. One of the most rewarding parts was helping prepare for the 2025 Arbor Day Celebration, where I helped create infographics and messaging to promote donations and community engagement. Seeing the event come together and knowing I helped support it was meaningful and rewarding.
What I’ve appreciated most about this experience is learning about the 
behind-the-scenes work that keeps grassroots environmental initiatives going. I gained practical experience with communication tools, budget planning, and community partnerships. I also had the chance to connect with the policy side of urban forestry and better understand how stakeholders and nonprofits collaborate to make change happen.
ENST 492 allowed me to refl
ect on what I was learning and pushed me to think critically about what environmental justice looks like in action. Overall, this experience has deepened my interest in community-based environmental work and shown me how creative communication and local partnerships can drive real impact.