THE GREEN TEAM
About Us
The Green Team, Youth Job Readiness & Environmental Stewardship Program is a 6-week program that employs Boston youth ages 14–18 to care for Hyde Park’s conservation woodlands. Since 2009, more than 200 teens have helped keep our urban wilds healthy and accessible for everyone. Our work supports local ecosystems and helps our community build resilience against climate change.
What do we do?
Each summer, teens and young adult Crew Leaders restore and maintain Hyde Park’s urban wilds in partnership with the Boston Parks Department’s Urban Wilds Program. Youth remove invasive plants, plant and water native trees, build and improve walking trails and educate the community about climate change and conservation while developing team work, communication and leadership skills.
Career Readiness
Alongside fieldwork, youth participate in weekly career readiness workshops focused on building life skills to prepare them for future success. Trainings include visits to the Attorney General’s Office to learn about teen workers rights, learning about financial literacy with Rockland Trust Bank, and canoeing.
Interested in working for the Green Team?
Reach out to the Green Team Program Coordinator Zaria Griffith at zaria@swbcdc.org
Youth-driven Environmental Education & Outreach
Nature Next Door
Past Summer Gallery
“We found an endangered salamander in Sherrin Woods that breathes through its skin. Since it can’t live in polluted areas, it was a good indication of the health of the woods”
— Da’Sonte Jones, Crew Member 2018
“The Green Team has helped me with public speaking and working in groups. I’m a lot more confident and independent. I always loved nature, but now I can identify stuff and show it to my family and friends.”
— Tommy Vo, Crew Leader 2019
“We learned about bike safety - we ride our bikes everywhere to the different sites. We also learned how to identify plants like poison ivy. I knew about poison ivy, but I never knew what it looked like until I started here.”
— Zion Ford, Crew Member 2018
“I feel like I could be contributing more to the community, but I feel like this is only my first step”
— Adrian Aguasvivas, Crew Member 2019