The Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Site is fortunate to have been selected to host two interns in the inaugural year of the Traditional Trades Advancement Program’s Landscape Stewardship Corps.
This program places aspiring conservationists in National Parks across the country to help care for America’s most treasured places: cultural landscapes that reveal the diverse stories of our past. Over a 26 week period, interns work alongside experienced NPS staff to learn the fundamentals of landscape preservation with hands on skills in horticulture and related fields. Our park is privileged to have Sophie Millar and Nick Jackson as our interns.
While the interns are here to learn new skills, develop their professional networks and get exposure to career opportunities in conservation and preservation, they also broaden our park’s experience with their unique backgrounds and perspectives on landscape preservation. Nick Jackson is from Poughkeepsie, NY where he works to develop urban agriculture projects that increase community resilience as well as restoration of health, a sense of well-being, and community connection for urban neighborhoods. Sophie Millar is from Ilion, NY and is interested in learning about career opportunities that apply her Environmental Science and Natural Resources background in the context of the National Park Service and related careers.
Both interns have jumped into preservation horticulture in the park and routinely contribute new ideas and skills from their own backgrounds to enhance our garden work and outreach efforts. In addition to gardening in our parks’ historic landscapes, they repaired and rebuilt important garden structures in our Small Space Garden exhibit area, and they are beginning to cross train with park staff and partners in preservation efforts in arboriculture, masonry, and carpentry. They provided critical support for the planting and successful establishment of the new “Wild Garden” at Bellefield – a 5,000 square foot native plant garden that surrounds the formal garden designed by Beatrix Farrand. They attended the American Public Garden Association Annual Conference in Boston for a week in June and will continue to be exposed to other horticulture and preservation ideas through field trips to notable gardens and institutions in the Hudson Valley.
Nick and Sophie’s main interest in the TTAP internship aligns with the program’s goals to increase exposure to career opportunities and build knowledge and skills that inspire continued connection to preservation and conservation. Nick identifies the history and storytelling aspect of preservation horticulture as a highlight and says, “I also appreciate the team building capacity of the NPS horticulture department – using the unique skills and styles of individuals to make up a strong team whole.” Nick is currently exploring future preservation opportunities in the National Park Service.
Sophie says “TTAP has broadened my perspective showing me there is a role for environmental science in preservation and cultural resource management.” The program has already come full circle as Sophie will be starting a full-time job as an NPS gardener at the White House at the end of August!
The Traditional Trades Advancement Program Landscape Preservation Corps is open to anyone age 18-30 (35 if a Veteran) interested in exposure to preservation of cultural landscapes in the National Park Service. For more information and how to apply, please visit www.nps.gov/orgs/1098/landscape-stewardship-corps.
