Friends of Princeton Open Space invites high school and college-aged students to join the 2026 Land Steward Youth Leadership Program — a free, hands-on opportunity designed to build ecological knowledge, develop leadership skills, and gain hands-on experience in habitat restoration.
Program Dates: January 24 to September 26, 2026
Who Can Apply: Emerging environmental leaders ages 15–25 Cost: free
Deadline to Apply: Rolling admission throughout 2026. Applicants are encouraged to sign up by March 15th.
About this program: This opportunity offers an in-depth, skill-building experience for emerging environmental leaders ages 15–25. Participants will commit to a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer land stewardship and environmental education at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve during 2026. Working in the riparian and forest restoration project areas, students will take part in active restoration efforts, including native planting, invasive species removal, plant protection strategies, and more—all while learning to lead others in vital, community-driven conservation work.
Why This Work Matters: This work focuses on forest and riparian restoration projects within the Preserve. Healthy ecosystems are essential for:
Filtering pollutants and protecting water quality
Preventing erosion and storing stormwater
Improving wildlife habitats and increasing biodiversity
Sequestering carbon and supporting climate resilience
Educating young people about the importance of healthy ecosystems builds a foundation for lifelong environmental stewardship. Ecological restoration is a powerful tool for environmental education, civic engagement, and community building—and trained youth leaders play a critical role in sustaining long-term restoration efforts.
Commitment: Participants will complete a minimum of 30 hours during the program year, combining land stewardship volunteering, environmental education, and a leadership project.
At least 20 hours must be dedicated to land stewardship volunteering. Volunteer sessions are typically two hours long. Please visit our Volunteer Page for upcoming dates for our public land stewardship sessions.
Participants can fulfill additional hours by participating in any of our environmental education activities, such as guided nature walks, BioBlitz events, bird walks, book club meetings, nature journaling, and more. Check our Events Calendar for a list of upcoming educational opportunities.
After completing at least 10 land stewardship volunteer hours, participants may begin a mentored leadership project (5–10 hours). Projects may include fundraising, environmental education support, outreach, creative educational materials like zines, or social media campaigns.
Participants who complete more than 50 hours will be recognized as Advanced Youth Stewardship Leaders. This may include completing a long-term, advanced conservation project, such as our Adopt-A-Plot program in the riparian restoration project area.
Benefits & Recognition: Participation in this program offers a range of personal, educational, and leadership benefits for young environmental leaders. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will:
Be Recognized as Youth Stewardship Leaders and honored at the Friends of Princeton Open Space Fall Fest celebration, where they will receive a formal Certificate of Completion recognizing their commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation leadership.
Gain Leadership Opportunities: Participants who complete the program will become eligible to assist in leading future volunteer events at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve.
Build Marketable Skills: Throughout the year, participants will develop hands-on experience in land stewardship practices, including native plant identification, invasive species management, ecological monitoring, and conservation planning. These real-world skills are valuable for future academic work, internships, and green careers.
Enhance College and Job Applications: Program completion demonstrates a commitment to environmental issues, leadership, and civic engagement—qualities highly regarded by colleges, scholarship committees, and employers. Certificates and references from FOPOS can be included in resumes or applications.
Join a Community of Like-Minded Peers: Participants will be part of a growing network of young people passionate about nature and sustainability. Through volunteer days and educational events, they’ll build meaningful connections with peers, educators, and environmental professionals.
This program is more than just an outdoor volunteer opportunity; it’s a pathway toward confidence, leadership, and lifelong environmental stewardship.
The program runs from January 24 through September 26 2026. Emerging young environmental leaders ages 15–25 are encouraged to sign up by March 15th.
