News

Every summer, a new group of high school students joins the Youth Tree Team (YTT) at Trees Atlanta, but it’s never just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to grow as a leader, gain hands-on skills in the field, and explore what a future green career might look like. The summer of 2025 was no exception.

This year’s team included 71 students from 29 schools across metro Atlanta. About 45% of the team were returning members, bringing with them experience and leadership. Of the 71 students, 13 graduated high school this year and are now heading into college or the workforce with work experience, leadership training, and a stronger understanding of what it means to care for the city and community they call home.

From day one, students jumped into the rhythm of YTT: mulching, watering, identifying plants, and removing invasive species. They worked at Trees Atlanta’s new tree nursery, in forests and parks throughout Metro Atlanta, and in the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum.

During the 2025 program, the Youth Tree Team has:

• Cared for and maintained over 1,076 trees
• Filled, carried, and spread 2,195 buckets of mulch
• Delivered 2,170 buckets of water to young trees, equaling 10,850 gallons
• Removed 6.3 acres of invasive plants

But tree care was just one part of the experience.

A Season of Growth and Exploration

This summer, Youth Tree Team students had more opportunities than ever to branch out and explore a range of green careers. Several students were selected to join external study teams, spending part of their summer with organizations, including Atlanta Botanical Garden, Arabia Mountain, and Piedmont Park Conservancy. These off-site experiences showed them how other organizations work together to support nature in an urban environment.

Back on the main crew, returning students in the Leaders In Training (LIT) program took on new responsibilities as peer mentors. They modeled professionalism and accountability for their teammates, while also tackling additional projects. Each Monday, LITs joined the Downtown Planting crew to care for trees at sites, such as Hurt Park, Boulevard Meadows, and Renaissance Park. They maintained 252 trees and cleared nearly half an acre of invasive plants.

Leadership and mentorship did not stop there. Through the Root Buddies initiative, YTT guided young campers from the Junior TreeKeeper Summer Camp, acting as their “bosses” for the day. They led plant ID walks and weeding activities, giving the younger kids a hands-on look at environmental stewardship.

Beyond fieldwork, students built essential life and career skills. Weekly financial literacy workshops, led by Cecilia Bailey and her team at Regions Bank, equipped students with practical tools for budgeting, saving, and understanding credit. Enrichment Days introduces students to professional organizations, including Birds Georgia, Patchwork City Farms, Oakland Cemetery, and the Georgia Forestry Foundation, highlighting the many paths within the world of green-collar careers. Students had the chance to network with these and other organizations during the YTT Career Discovery Day.

An exciting pilot program called Project ACER (Atlanta Canopy Education & Research) was introduced  which was led by Trees Atlanta’s Youth Education Coordinator. Students learned to measure trees, identify leaves, research species, and input their findings into a working database.

Student P.O.V. from Benjamin

“From my personal experience, I found YTT to be an amazing opportunity as a student. I’ll say I was an anti-social person, and this program really opened me up. I’ve made a lot of friends and learned so much, not just about myself, but also about trees, insects, and invasive species. Now I can even help my neighborhood community with what I know.

Yes, you do get paid, but that’s not the best part. For me, the best part is making friends with the people around you and learning more every day. It’s an amazing learning opportunity.

The most impactful part for me was having people around me encourage me to open up and become more sociable. That’s been really good for me as I get closer to adulthood.

If you have this opportunity, please take it! Even if you’re scared to talk to people, this program will help you open up, make good connection, and prepare for school and adult life. It will make you more sociable, teach you more, and even give you skills to succeed in the business world.”

Thank You To Our Partners

This summer would not have been possible without the support of our many community partners. From providing financial support to hosting enrichment sessions and offering off-site placements, their contributions helped shape a rich and well-rounded experience for our Youth Tree Team.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We’re already thinking about next year! If you know a high school student who is passionate about the environment, interested in exploring green careers, or just ready to get their hands dirty in service of the city, Youth Tree Team might be the perfect fit!

Applications for Summer 2026 will open in November 2025. Visit our website for program updates, deadlines, and application details.

Posted on: August 6, 2025