TAKE
ACTION
Our Learning-By-Doing programs develop
your leadership skills through real-life problem solving
and community service.
We're sharing knowledge,
while growing community.
Our Learning-By-Doing programs develop your leadership skills through real-life problem solving and community service. Each of us is unique, so too are our learning experiences. We personalize your education so as to highlight your interests and needs. Through hands-on workshops, stewardship events, leadership intensives, internships, citizen reporting, and job training, we explore issues from climate change to consumer choice, connecting you with communities and helping you find your greatest impacts.
People are talking about
taking action...
The experience was great. Students were able to think about how creativity and action are valuable ways to raise awareness about an issue that they care about.
The process the facilitators used to get students to choose a topic and then create an action plan around it was awesome! I will definitely use it in my own work with young people.
—Carlos Q., Leadership Intensive Participant
We all had a wonderful time helping the aesthetics of the community as well as the health of the trees. We loved the bonding experience it facilitated for our team. This was an excellent experience, one we will all remember.
—Alexis B.,
Corporate Volunteer,
Stewardship Event Participant
This was the most real world, authentic learning experience my students had all year.
My students gained awareness of some key human impact issues. Moreover, they got excited by the idea of activism and collective change. They still talk about the experience.
—David. R, Educator,
Hands-on Workshop Participant
Stewardship Events
Opportunities for you to care for your local environment in a community setting.
Leadership Intensives
Supporting underserved and underrepresented individuals as social and environmental changemakers through skills development and career mentoring.
LEARN
MORE
Hands-on Workshops
Our hands-on workshops help you explore your community, while connecting you to the local impacts of global issues. We work with you, your school, company, or community group to create a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) educational experience that gets participants both in touch with your creative side and with action-based learning. You’ll join us in exploring climate change, water, consumer choice, waste, health, environmental justice, or other topics important to you in a workshop experience that is tailored to the age level, goals, and interests of your group.

Education in Action
Check out our diverse hands-on workshops and participants.
![]() Speaking Out on WasteYouth speak with community members on community health and reducing waste. | ![]() Water Testing for Community HealthLocal youth test samples from local waterways. | ![]() Know Your CommunityCommunity participants chart resources and sources of pollution in their neighborhood. |
---|---|---|
![]() Creative MessagingLocals develop creative outreach materials of community issues that matter most. | ![]() Community TreasuresWaterfront Bike Tour participants learn about resources along the urban coast. |
STEWARDSHIP
EVENTS
Stewardship Events
Our stewardship events are opportunities for you care for your local environment in a community setting.
We work with you, your school, company, or community group to create an team service learning and skill development experience that gives back to your community. Through activities like water quality monitoring, clean-ups, and tree care,
you see your impacts in action and get your hands dirty at the same time.

Stewardship in Action
See examples of our stewardship events and participants
![]() Greening the WaterfrontBrooklyn Day Habilitation (AHRC) seasonal volunteer plants native species in waterfront State Park. | ![]() "No Dumping" MarkersYouth volunteers help prevent illegal dumping by installing stormdrain markers. | ![]() Brooklyn Day Hab VolunteersEvery season, Brooklyn Day Habilitation (AHRC) volunteers join us for a season of leading Tree Care Tuesdays across NYC. |
---|---|---|
![]() Caring for Street TreesCorporate volunteers plant native species in street tree beds. | ![]() One-of-a-kind Tree GuardsOur crew work with elementary youth to paint and build tree guards. | ![]() Youth Volunteers CelebrateYouth celebrate achieving their community clean-up goals. |
![]() Caring for ParksLocal volunteers weed and plant native species in our local park. | ![]() Transforming SpacesYouth celebrate as we transform an abandoned lot into a native species garden. |
Tree Care Tuesday
From April until September, our crew brings Tree Care Tuesdays to the streets of NYC every week. Our goal: beautify NYC neighborhoods, create community relationships, promote green space, mitigate air pollution, and prevent stormwater runoff.
Tree care sessions involve community volunteers, alongside HII crew cleaning-up, aerating and mulching tree beds, and planting bulbs in the tree bed soil all while spending quality time with your community and mother nature. We provide supplies and training, you provide the help.
All events are open-to-the-public and free.
Since 2012, we are happy to announce an ongoing partnership with volunteers from Brooklyn Day Habilitation Center of AHRC NYC who join us as community stewardship leaders every week.
Partners
![]() |
---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Support Tree Care Tuesday in your community!
Leadership Intensives
Our leadership intensives support underserved and underrepresented individuals as social and environmental changemakers through skills development and career mentoring. As a participant, you gain a
deeper understanding of key global issues through on-the-ground community work, while developing tools for communication, research, management, and program development. Through our mentorship opportunities,
you put your knowledge to practice as we connect you with employment opportunities in diverse sectors.

LEADERSHIP
Leadership in Action
Explore past youth and community leadership intensives.
![]() Community ConversationsYouth hit the streets and interview community members about issues that matter most to them. | ![]() Art for Social ChangeYouth design campaigns to catalyze community action. |
---|---|
![]() Community Environmental LeadershipHigh school youth learn about environmental issues and opportunities in their community. | ![]() Exploring ConsumptionLooking at consumption patterns in our communities and resources available for urban livability. |
![]() From Local to GlobalLocal youth connect local social and environmental issues to international policy negotiations at the United Nations. | ![]() Community OutreachTraining to help small businesses green their storefronts, while learning about community issues. |
![]() Communicating SustainabilityDesign intensive where students visually communicate top environmental issues. | ![]() Non-Toxic LeadershipDomestic workers gain a certificate in non-toxic cleaning. |
![]() Green CareersYouth learn about a diversity of environmental careers and opportunities. | ![]() Connecting Youth LeadersWorking with the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, we bring together international youth to share experiences. |
![]() Water and SanitationLeadership training on water and sanitation issues from NYC to Latin America. |
Internships
Unique, behind-the-scenes learning experiences where
you join us to develop,
implement, and monitor our diverse programs.