Youth Tree Tenders, Growing more than Canopy

CanopyBloomington’s Youth Tree Tender program offers high school students the chance to gain paid, hands-on experience in tree care and urban forestry. Over the course of four weeks, the tenders learn skills directly taught by environmental professionals in the Bloomington community. The tenders learn skills that will prepare them for future opportunities while caring for hundreds of young trees in Switchyard, Lower Cascades, RCA, Bryan, and Winslow Woods Parks.

This work is done in partnership with the City of Bloomington, which manages thousands of trees across the City. By focusing on 5 city parks, the tree tenders help to alleviate some of that workload. As part of this agreement, tenders take on tasks like root collar excavation, girdling root removal, mulching, and formative pruning.

Youth Tree Tenders is not just a great way to spend more time outdoors, it also gives teens a closer look at the natural systems around them and the real impact that their teamwork makes in the world. From sessions identifying native plants and trees to using tools safely and practicing proper tree care, the program builds confidence, responsibility, and a strong work ethic rooted in environmental togetherness. The following photos show both our June and July cohorts. Not pictured is Ava Hartman, Canopy's Executive Director, who worked together to run a our 2026 program.

June Cohort. From left to right: Jessica Terry, Olivia Caausseaux, Becca Baxter, Keiran Perera, Arno Risner

July Cohort. From left to right: Noga Gordon, Jessica Terry, Becca Baxter, Gabriel Heidemann-Douglas, Brisa Cruz

The Youth Tree Tenders program kicked off the season with urban forestry basics. Ava Hartman, CanopyBloomington’s Executive Director, lead an engaging and educational workshop for our YTTs. They learned not only why proper tree care is important but also how to do it effectively. The skills ranged from understanding basic tree biology, tree equity in cities, the benefits of an urban forest, and a green jobs exploration to start off their summer. The workshop emphasized the long-term impact of consistent maintenance and empowered tenders to feel confident in their new roles as tree caretakers.

The tenders participated in a pruning and resume-building workshop led by Simon Normile. The session began with an introduction to essential pruning tools, including hand pruners, loppers, and hand saws. Simon demonstrated how and when to use each tool safely and effectively, and explained the importance of proper pruning techniques for promoting healthy tree structure and long-term growth. Tenders practiced identifying dead or damaged branches and making clean, intentional cuts.

The tenders met with James Rocke, an arborist and associate consultant at Davey Tree Resource Group for an in-depth conversation about tree ID and what it really means to step into the role of an arborist. James introduced the group to essential skills like tree identification, which not only supports their work in urban forestry, but also lays a foundation for future professional opportunities in environmental science, landscaping, and arboriculture.

The tenders then laced up their boots and made their way to the next learning opportunity: an herbaceous plant identification walk with Sycamore Land Trust. Saige Sentell, Sycamore’s Education Director, took the group along a wooded trail, guiding them through the process of identifying native herbaceous plants and understanding their role within the ecosystem. The tenders learned how to observe key characteristics such as leaf shape, flower structure, and stem texture. They also learned how to use a dichotomous key to confidently identify unfamiliar species. Along the way, they discussed the differences between native, non-native, and invasive species, and how plant biodiversity supports healthy habitats. The program ran at Sycamore's Amy Weingartner Branigin Peninsula Preserve. This immersive walk helped deepen the tenders’ observational skills and plant literacy.

The cohorts also heard from Mads Gullion, Community Engagement Manager for the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability as well as Andrea Capio and Katie Beck from the Conservation Law Center. The YTTs participated in a City of Bloomington Weed Wrangle where they learned more about how to deal with invasive species around Bloomington.

The Youth Tree Tenders program provides high school students meaningful, real world experience that unites environmental responsibility with professional growth. They aren’t just learning about tree care, they are actively contributing to the health of their community while developing skills that apply to a wide range of future potential jobs. Because of the direct mentorship they are receiving, they will be left with lasting professional connections and valuable information about the world around them. Youth Tree Tenders allows young people to navigate one of the most important tools a young adult can have, confidence. This kind of hands-on, purpose-driven work gives them a sense of togetherness, solidifies their value in the community, and shows them that their actions, no matter their age, can have an important impact.

Youth Tree Tenders is part of CanopyBloomington's educational initiatives, which also include tree walks in Bloomington public parks, annual tree planting workshops promoted as Trees 101, a tree-themed book club and other ad hoc programs.