Our Work-Based Learning programs give students the chance to get outside, learn new skills, and take part in meaningful projects that care for the land and our community. Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or a young adult exploring your career path, you’ll find hands-on opportunities that combine learning, stewardship, and teamwork.
Afterschool Programs
Natural Resources Internship (Grades 9–12)
High school students explore the many paths within natural resources through projects in the garden, forest, and wetlands. From seed saving to invasive species management, pruning trees, and even helping care for animals in the spring, this internship has a little of everything. Along the way, students build real workplace skills like timekeeping, communication, and organization.
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Meets Tuesdays, 3–5 PM (with optional weekend events)
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Fall: Oct 15 – Dec 17 (7 spaces)
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Spring: Feb 3 – May 19 (10 spaces)
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Paid: $15/hour, up to 40 hours total
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Applications due Sept 26
Rio Fernando Afterschool (Grades 6–8)
This afterschool program is perfect for middle schoolers who like to be active and outdoors. Students pitch in on garden projects, ecological monitoring, simple construction, and animal care in the spring. Each session also includes check-ins and social-emotional skill-building to make sure we’re growing as a group as well as in the garden.
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Meets Thursdays, 3–5 PM
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Spring: Feb 6 – May 22
Day Programs
CEO Fridays
This program is currently full for 2025–26.
Individualized Internships (Ages 16–25)
For students with some experience who are ready to dive deeper, these internships offer mentorship with local experts and the chance to lead your own project. Past interns have focused on weed management, compost research, and mor. We also offer placements in fields like arboriculture, regenerative ag, animal stewardship, wetlands, wildlife biology, water conservation, construction, and permaculture.
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Flexible schedules, 5–20 hours per week
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Up to 4 internships each year
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Paid: $15/hour
Garden Apprenticeships (Ages 18–25)
Spend the season in the garden learning regenerative growing practices that fit our Northern New Mexico climate. Apprentices help plant, compost, weed, and learn the rhythms of no-till farming while gaining confidence to grow food on their own. No experience required—just a love of plants and willingness to learn.
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Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12–16 hours/week
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March 3 – June 30
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$200 weekly stipend
Contact
For more information or to get involved, contact Nora Wicks at wicks@taoslandtrust.org.