Roosevelt Vanderbilt NHS is delighted to have Mari Davies and Sofia Brizzi join us as our 2026 Landscape Stewardship Corps interns for the 2026 season. This internship is part of the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) overseen by the National Park Service’s (NPS) Historic Preservation Training Center.
Landscape Stewardship Corps interns spend 6 months in our park and “learn by doing” alongside the NPS horticulture staff. In addition to exposure to all aspects of horticulture in our varied cultural landscapes, the interns also participate in formal training with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, career development training for navigating federal job opportunities, and networking beyond their home park. The internship includes $1,000 towards educational experiences they choose to pursue and, upon completion, a Public Lands Hiring Authority which gives them a competitive advantage in applying for permanent NPS positions.
The benefits, of course, are reciprocal. While an interest in learning is the primary criteria for selection, Mari and Sofia are both positive, energetic and curious interns, game to try new experiences, offer their insights and work hard toward team goals. In addition to supporting all the horticulture work, our volunteer programs and special projects, they have also participated in turtle monitoring, deer exclusion and archeology studies. The remaining months of their internship will include field trips, pursuing training in arboriculture and shadowing NPS staff in the Curatorial Department. In a small department like Horticulture, these broader pursuits reward all of us with shared knowledge and experiences.
Mari and Sofia share the overarching goal of learning as much as they can about caring for historic landscapes and gardens through this internship, but each had a strong personal motivation to join us this year. When asked why they elected to do this internship, Sofia said, “This was a good opportunity to work outdoors and learn more about a piece of history just down the road from where I grew up. (Rhinecliff, NY)”. Mari explained, “I chose this position because I think the Roosevelt’s were an amazing example of what loving your fellow humans means. I wanted to be a part of preserving the places they loved so other people can visit and learn about them.” We love that they both committed to join us and allow us the privilege of supporting the next generation of landscape stewards.
Pictured above:
Mari and Sofia with the volunteer gardeners working in the The Roosevelt Home Vegetable Garden. Photo, Luke Perry.
