New York City
Parks and Environment Volunteer Programs for Teens in New York City
5 parks and environment volunteer programs across the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and northern New Jersey. 5 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 0 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.
- Opportunities
- 5
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 5
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 0
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 3
- others run longer or do not say
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 11
- When to apply
- December 4, 2026
- New York Botanical Garden Explainer Program
Volunteering · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- November 14, 2026
- Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth Representatives
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Prospect Park Alliance Woodlands Youth Crew
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Wave Hill Forest Project
Internship · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- 16 and up
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back next winter for 2027; separate SYEP application required (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)Internship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 9 to 11 | March to November; 4-6 hours weekly in spring and fall, 20-25 hours weekly in summer (about 190-220 hours) | December 4, 2026 |
| New York Botanical Garden Explainer ProgramVolunteering · Parks and environment | Bronx, NY | Not posted | Four training days plus a 4.5-hour shift every Saturday or Sunday, March 20 through June 19, 2027; minimum 125 hours | November 14, 2026 |
| Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth RepresentativesInternship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Not posted | 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Prospect Park Alliance Woodlands Youth CrewInternship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Not posted | 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Wave Hill Forest ProjectInternship · Parks and environment | Bronx, NY | 16 and up | Full summer program | 2026 applications closed; check back next winter for 2027; separate SYEP application required (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
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Frequently asked questions
How old does my teen need to be?
Each organization sets its own rule. The table shows the minimum age or grade each one posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
What does a teen volunteer actually do?
It varies by program. Each program page describes the work as the organization does, along with the hours it asks for.
Sources and method
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Parks and Environment Volunteer Programs for Teens in New York City”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/new-york/parks-and-environment.
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