Originally published in the Summer 2024 Confluence newsletter.
By Cara Lewis, Senior Communications Manager
Pathways Into Natural Environments and Science (PINES) was created to establish opportunities for high school students to network and explore careers in conservation and natural resources.
TLC’s PINES program returned this spring for its third year, welcoming 10 students from Knightdale High School (KHS) to learn about and explore the outdoors with us. This immersive program is a paid fellowship that connects students with professionals working in the field of conservation and provides opportunities to experience nature and community learning.
Currently, the PINES program engages students from KHS where TLC has been involved for more than five years. We are especially proud of our recent graduating seniors: Ava, Tadrion, KJ, Julio, and Delaney.
New this summer, TLC created two stewardship internships specially designed for PINES graduates to develop more advanced knowledge in land conservation and stewardship skills. These internships are supported by a generous local family who was inspired by the program and has deep interest in helping to foster students’ growth in the field of conservation. This support along with several other private and corporate donations have secured a strong future for PINES.
Graduates Ava and Julio applied, were accepted, and began working full-time in June with Umar Muhammad, Land Stewardship Associate East at Williamson Preserve. They assisted with supporting prescribed fire planning and execution, creating invasive plant eradication plans, maintaining nature preserves, and leading volunteer groups.
- Originally from Michigan, Ava has always enjoyed math and learned about the PINES program from a poster she saw at KHS. She’s particularly interested in trail maintenance and what’s involved in keeping trails open and accessible.
- Julio grew up in Puerto Rico and has lived in New Jersey and North Carolina. Always interested in science, he heard about the PINES program after hearing Ava give a talk to his animal science class at KHS.
- Both Ava and Julio had high praise for TLC and the PINES program. They particularly enjoyed meeting speakers who met with students throughout the year to discuss topics ranging from geology and birding to foraging and outdoor survival skills.
TLC works to help support students in their future plans, including planning tours of local universities, assisting in the college application process, and continuing to engage with alumni through internship opportunities. Students receive a stipend while participating in the program. In addition to high school involvement, TLC prioritizes regular engagement with PINES alumni through programs offering ongoing educational programs.
Recognizing a lack of diversity within the conservation field, PINES was created in 2022 by former staff member Diquan Edmonds, with the goal of establishing pathways of opportunities into the conservation and natural resource fields for students from Knightdale High School, which is just a few miles from TLC’s Bailey & Sarah Williamson Farm and Nature Preserve. Since then, the program has doubled in size – from five to ten students – and has seen all graduating seniors off to college to begin programs of study in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
