High School Opportunities with the Westerly Land Trust

The Westerly Land Trust conserves open space, revitalizes culturally significant properties, and provides environmental programs for the enduring benefit of our community.

We believe in nurturing a lifelong love of nature. Our high school opportunities connect students with hands-on experiences that are academically enriching, socially engaging, and emotionally rewarding. Whether you’re curious about wildlife, passionate about building and creating, or eager to inspire others to care for the environment, we have opportunities that allow you to contribute in ways that are meaningful to you.

Community Service

The Westerly Land Trust offers students many ways to make a meaningful difference in our community. Students can contribute to conservation and community service while learning valuable skills. Opportunities include but are not limited to:

• Habitat Restoration: Remove invasive plants, plant native species, and help wildlife thrive.
• Trail and Garden Maintenance: Keep WLT preserves and community gardens healthy and welcoming.
• Wildlife Monitoring: Track wildlife and monitor trail cameras.
• Construction and Hands-On Projects: Build fences, footbridges, compost systems, and bird nesting boxes.
• Environmental Education and Outreach: Create signage, lesson plans, and social media campaigns to engage the community.
• Organize an Event: Plan cleanups, community hikes, and fundraising initiatives to support conservation efforts.

By participating, students gain community service hours, practical conservation skills, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Trail Blazer Internship Program

This internship is available for high school students during the spring, fall, and/or summer. There are 3 routes students can take…

• Conservation Programs Intern
  • Support Westerly Land Trust educators in delivering hands-on outdoor adventures on WLT preserves. Be a role model for local elementary students and help inspire the next generation of land stewards.
• Stewardship Intern
  • Support Westerly Land Trust in upholding conservation values. Gain experience in mapping, monitoring, habitat restoration, ecology, and basic construction.
• Programs & Stewardship Intern
  • Can’t decide? Gain experience in both sides of conservation.

*Interns are not required or expected to be an expert in any specific topic before participating.

Senior Projects

Project opportunities are based on the interests and abilities of students and our current organizational needs.

• For the Wildlife Lover
  • Identify and label native tree species
  • Monitor trail cameras and report on wildlife sightings
  • Remove invasive species to support the habitat
  • Create a pollinator garden at your school with the guidance of WLT
• For the Builder
  • Construct a fence for a children’s garden
  • Install a footbridge on a flooded trail
  • Build a composting system
  • Create bird nesting boxes
• For the Social Butterfly
  • Organize a clean-up at a WLT property
  • Lead a community hike on a WLT property
  • Create a social media campaign to advertise WLT’s programming
  • Organize a fundraiser to support WLT’s conservation efforts
• For the Outdoor Educator
  • Design an environmental education resource
  • Design and install informational signage on a WLT preserve
  • Create a lesson plan that aligns with NGSS for an outdoor program

Whether you’re interested in one of our listed programs, a custom blend of offerings, or bringing a new idea to life, we’re here to help make it happen! We will work together to create a project and opportunity that is meaningful to you!

Fill out the form below or directly contact Lauren Barber (lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org, 401-315-2610 ext. 1) to start planning your experience today.