Branching Out Brochure Fy09

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation

Branching Out: An Exploration in Landscape Maintenance for Boston Youth

I enjoy climbing and working with trees and nature. It’s the first time I discovered work I actually enjoy doing. I feel I could continue this as a career. Cal Bernhard, 2008 Apprentice

Branching Out provides Boston-area youth with an overview of landscape maintenance practices through educational workshops and hands-on field experiences. As participants progress through the program, they gain knowledge and field applicable skills in landscape maintenance and management. The program offers summer work options and a variety of learning experiences during the school year. Throughout the course of the program, participants explore opportunities for educational scholarships and career placement in the field of landscape management. The goals of Branching Out are to: • Offer Boston-area youth a sequenced curriculum in the field of landscape maintenance • Foster opportunities for participants to pursue employment and/or educational pathways in the field of landscape management • Provide landscape maintenance support to National Park Service sites in the region • Forge connections between Boston-area youth and their community landscapes • Expose participants to the National Park Service and associated sites in the Boston-area Audience: Boston-area youth in grades 9-12

While working with the rose bushes (pruning) I was wondering why. But now, I look at them and think “They bloomed so beautifully.” Roman Monteiro, 2008 Apprentice

2008 Branching Out participants learning and teaching landscape maintenance practices.

The program includes three components: Introduction

This three-day workshop introduces participants to general aspects of landscape maintenance. • Participants learn fundamental landscape maintenance skills and techniques. • Youth gain field experience by working with park staff and grounds maintenance professionals. Apprenticeship

The Apprenticeship expands and builds participant’s knowledge and skills through specialized training in more complex aspects of landscape management. • This is a nine week, paid experience in which participants work alongside landscape maintenance teams at National Parks in the Boston-area. • Youth receive specialized training in tree and shrub care, turf management, and formal garden maintenance. • Apprentices are introduced to employment and higher education opportunities in the field. Internship

The Internship is a culminating experience that offers graduating high school seniors an opportunity to gain advanced and specialized field experience and training. • This paid experience (up to 6 months) is tailored to the needs and interests of the intern. • Interns collaborate with Branching Out coordinators to create a summer work experience that addresses specific goals identified by the intern. • Field placement for the intern is determined by the focus of his/her unique interests. • Interns receive assistance for transitioning into education or employment in the field of landscape management.

2008 Branching Out Apprentices

The following organizations are involved in this program: • Adams National Historical Park • Boston African American National Historic Site • Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area • Boston National Historical Park • Boston City Parks • Department of Conservation and Recreation MA • Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site • Goodell Tree Service • John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site • Longfellow National Historic Site • Massachusetts Arborists Association • Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation • Shelter Tree Company • Student Conservation Association • Thompson Island Outward Bound • Wind River Tree Care • Youth Conservation Corps/Public Land Corps

For additional information, please contact: Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation National Park Service Charlestown Navy Yard Boston, Massachusetts 02129 617/241-6954 [email protected]