Growing the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

Our Native Landscape Apprenticeship Program continues to grow as we prepare high schoolers for future careers in conservation, land management, and environmental stewardship. We welcomed 234 Howard students onto our campus for learning and now have five apprentices!

It’s been another incredible year with our apprentices! Reflection Riding’s Native Landscape Apprenticeship Program is a paid workforce development initiative preparing high school students from The Howard School for careers in conservation, land management, and environmental stewardship.

The first step in building this job pipeline is to engage Howard students by hosting field trips to our campus and participating in their school events. This past year, we welcomed 234 Howard students for hands-on learning. We now have five apprentices who enjoyed a rewarding summer gaining experience in landscape management, botany, and professional development, including résumé building and interview skills.

Each apprentice earns a paycheck, often their first, contributing directly to family income while gaining the confidence, knowledge, and networks to envision themselves as part of the conservation workforce.

Howard School teachers report improved engagement, attendance, and peer relationships among apprentices and field trip participants. We also activated partnerships with the Southeast Conservation Corps, the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, and the City of Chattanooga’s Natural Resources team to broaden our apprentices’ exposure to careers in the conservation field. Thanks to funders like you, we hired five apprentices for the 2025/2026 academic year.