ABOUT THE URBAN GREEN JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM
Atlanta is one of the greenest cities in the United States. Many of the greenspaces around the city receive resources, but not all communities receive equal resources. As development continues to increase across Atlanta, urban planners and tree experts have agreed to protect some of the forested areas that already exist. When we started in 2017, residents expressed a desire to beautify their community and build relationships though the creation of better trails, community gardening and better maintenance of shared community greenspaces. It has become clearer that the skill sets developed in our training are preparing participants to compete for higher paying jobs in an emerging field. With your support, we will continue our efforts.
WHO IS LEADING THIS PROGRAM
HABESHA, Inc., has worked with several partners including Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture, Thomasville Heights Civic League, Purpose Built Schools, AVLF, Atlanta Audubon, Park Pride, Trees Atlanta, Trust for Public Land and many others to offer two solid years of training, exposure and career opportunities to residents of South and Southwest Atlanta, The Nature Conservancy is coordinating the development of a plan to better care for the South River Forest in SE Atlanta and South DeKalb. The goal of the project is to work with residents to prepare for green careers while also improving the look and feel of the community. This project is complemented by restoration efforts in a nearby wetland forest, Constitution Lakes and stream restoration at McDaniel Wetlands and along the South River.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Over four weeks, 10 residents of Metro Atlanta receive training in conservation, green infrastructure, watershed management, environmental justice, urban agriculture, team building, attend field trips, and be paid a stipend of $500. This will consist of online classroom instruction and outdoor field activities for six (6) hours daily (primarily 9am-3pm) for 4 weeks in September.
Upon completion of the training, there will be opportunities beyond the 4-weeks (i.e. paid internship, paid fellowship). We are also looking to partner with organizations and companies that have job opportunities in green infrastructure, watershed management, and/or conservation. If you know of anyone (18-35 yo preferred but not exclusive) that would be a good fit that lives in metro Atlanta, have them contact Program Coordinator, Lucy LaVoulle at lucy@habeshainc.org
