As the summer wraps up, we are reflecting on another successful season of DNDA’s Environmental Justice Youth Internship!
Each year, DNDA hosts a 5-week long paid internship during the summer for highschoolers ages 14-18 primarily living in Delridge and High Point. Throughout this program, our interns explore green spaces within and beyond Delridge through the lens of environmental justice.
This internship offered several ways of engaging in environmental justice work. Youth conducted independent research, maintained green stormwater infrastructure, planted in community gardens, held meaningful conversation in spaces with layered history, got to know their watershed through artwork, conducted ecological surveys, and more! Here is a week-by-week run-down of our summer:
Week 1 focused on water. Interns were introduced to Longfellow Creek through clay imprint art with community artist Vaughn Bell. Then, following the flow of the water, we got up close and personal with the Duwamish River superfund site by kayaking around Kellog (Mud) Island with River Access Paddle Program. Interns observed changes in the surrounding industrialization, public recreation, and plant and animal composition as they visited each site. This week ended with a history of West Seattle’s original stewards, the Duwamish Tribe, and conversations about colonization, stewardship, and ongoing reclamation with Heron’s Nest.
Week 2 continued the conversation on land, water, and how we can steward both. First, we connected land and history with Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Weather then brought us a challenge, and we braved a rainstorm to gain skills in invasive plant removal with Dirt Corps. The week ended with a conversation about health disparities and Climate Change with Basilica Bio, followed by hands-on water quality testing with DNDA Environmental Engagement Specialist Louisa Keyani to investigate the impacts of development, pollution, and riparian health.
Week 3 centered around food justice through partnerships with Black Farmers Collective and Nurturing Roots. Interns learned about the importance of food justice and food sovereignty, and about the role of the Black Panthers in the food justice movement. The cohort also visited several community gardens including Beacon Food Forest to learn about building spaces that are meant to serve diverse communities.
Week 4 brought an exploration of health and wellbeing, taking what we’d learned about health disparities and connecting it to the health of our urban forests. We calmed our nervous systems with a nature sketching workshop and a stress reduction sound bath, unplugging and making the most of our time in community with each other. Spending time in the forest, interns also conducted scientific surveys of forest and river health.
The program wrapped up with individual Community Action Projects. Interns thought about what “community action” meant to them and developed posters that they presented in front of friends, family, and partner organizations.
We want to say a huge THANK YOU to the incredible interns of this cohort and to the inspiring parter organizations who enriched our learning with their knowledge, experience, and care.
“Doing the Environmental Justice Program totally changed how I look at my community and the environment around us. My biggest takeaway was realizing how environmental health is super connected to making things fair for everyday neighborhoods… I feel way more confident now and feel ready to help my community through volunteering or whatever comes next.” – Intern of the summer 2026 EJ cohort
– Written by DNDA Environmental Education Coordinator Mikaela Ebbeson
