Conservation Apprenticeship

Empowering the Next Generation of Conservationists

Westchester Land Trust’s conservation apprenticeship program is designed to offer high school graduates and college students an authentic paid experience to explore and pursue careers in conservation.

In particular, the program focuses on welcoming young people who may otherwise feel excluded from conservation work due to race, socioeconomic status, and geography.

Thank you to the many individual donors and organizational funders that support this program and our future conservationists!

2026

Elsa Baudry-Confalone

Elsa first found out about Westchester Land Trust when she volunteered alongside her neighbors and WLT staff to protect and steward land surrounding Glenwood Lake, across the street from her house in New Rochelle. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in conservation and she is honored to have been chosen to nurture this passion with the very organization that planted the seed.

Elsa is a sophomore at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has been working towards a bachelor’s degree with a focus on natural resources management. She hopes that one day she will be able to spend her time teaching youth the importance of caring for our planet.

When Elsa is not outside you can find her listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with loved ones and friends.

Christina Hernandez

Christina’s passion for environmentalism began with Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team, where she worked alongside other youth conservationists to improve land across the lower Hudson Valley. Living in Yonkers her entire life, Christina was able to see firsthand how urbanization and the lack of green spaces impact her city. As a rising sophomore majoring in biology at the University at Albany, Christina is interested in pursuing urban forestry to bring green spaces to urban areas.

This summer Christina is beyond grateful to have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the various roles in conservation, the value of land protection, and how to care for the land.

In her free time, Christina enjoys traveling, drawing, and exploring new places with friends.

2025

Gertrude Phiri

Gertrude Phiri is a passionate environmentalist originally from Malawi, where she earned her bachelor of science in Agricultural Extension at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She is currently pursuing her master’s in environmental science and policy at Pace University in New York. With a deep love for land, people, and purpose, Gertrude brings a global perspective to conservation work.

This summer, she’s thrilled to be apprenticing with Westchester Land Trust, connecting community, culture, and conservation in the landscapes of Westchester.

Jake Sacket

Jake grew up in the heart of Florida, where he developed a deep appreciation for the vital connection between people and the natural world. That early passion led him to study sustainability at Hofstra University and later dive into environmental education at a nature-based preschool. There, he saw the powerful impact of nurturing a love for the environment from a young age—and the critical role land conservation plays in securing a healthier future.

Today, Jake brings that same dedication to Westchester Land Trust, where he works hands-on to manage invasive species and restore native habitats across the Trust’s preserves. Whether he’s in the field or in the classroom, Jake is committed to building a future where both people and nature thrive.

When he’s not working, you can find Jake exploring the Catskills, getting lost in a good book, or enjoying a board game with his friends.

2024

Elisabeth Carpinelli

Elisabeth maintains and improves WLT’s preserves through invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and infrastructure management. Prior to WLT, she worked for Westmoreland Sanctuary and Greenburgh Nature Center, where she maintained preserves, cared for animals, and connected the community with wildlife and conservation. She is attending the University of Rhode Island, pursuing dual majors in wildlife and conservation biology and animal science, with a passion for avian ecology and conservation. In her free time, Elisabeth enjoys all things outdoors, namely hiking, kayaking, birding, and long walks with her foster dogs!

Meghan Majewski

Meghan works to manage invasive species and restore habitats at WLT’s preserves. Previously, she participated in volunteer conservation projects in her community and worked in a greenhouse helping research various marsh grasses. She is a rising junior year at the University of Rhode Island, where she studies environmental science with a minor in Spanish. Meghan is interested in pursuing research in wildlife ecology and hopes to travel and explore different environments. She is from Tappan, New York and in her free time she enjoys watching movies, relaxing at the beach, and going to concerts.

Ellery Zych

Ellery is studying environmental science and policy at Smith College. Having grown up in Weston, Connecticut, she has a lifelong interest in New England ecology and wildlife. She hopes to use her career to restore sustainable ecosystems for the health and enrichment of both nature and people. In the past, she has interned as an interpretive guide for Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and Sherwood Island State Park. One of her favorite aspects of this field is the opportunity to learn how to identify the plants and animals around her. She aspires to have a garden of her own she can restore into a native plant haven.

2023

Prawravee (Gigi) Pothiwit

Gigi is an alumna of Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Tam, where she first began her journey with sustainability and conservation during her high school years. After leaving that program, she continued to search for ways to gain experience within the environmental field and was excited to continue her journey as a conservation apprentice at WLT.

Gigi has lived in Yonkers all her life and was eager to learn more about urban conservation during her time at WLT in order to find ways to help her city and similar urban communities. During her apprenticeship, she was a rising sophomore studying at Binghamton University with plans to major in environmental science.

Alex Warren

Alex appreciated that every day as a conservation apprentice was a unique experience that included learning about various aspects of conservation and the different skill sets needed for the profession. During her apprenticeship, Alex was a second-year landscape architecture student at Pennsylvania State University. She is interested in sustainability, urban design, and environmental social justice. She is an active member of the National Organization for Minority Architect Students (NOMAS) and participated in a design competition to create a space in Portland, Oregon that perpetuates a progressive and unified community.

During her free time, Alex deeply enjoys listening to live music, spending time with loved ones, and traveling to new cities.

2022

Christian Fierek

Christian graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BA in biology and during his studies, he discovered an interest in the environment and environmental science. He aspires to work in either a fieldwork or laboratory setting, but most importantly wishes to gain the hands-on experience required to advance his knowledge and discover his niche and passion. He was excited that this apprenticeship would take him one step further toward his goals and serve as a fun and exciting learning experience.

Brianna Rodriguez

Brianna first garnered a love for conservation while working on Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green Team. During that time, she traveled to Yellowstone National Park to install bear boxes in campsites and collect data to monitor dragonfly populations in the park. She has also participated in the initiative for solutions to environmental concerns like flooding and the urban heat island effect, which impact her hometown of Yonkers. During her apprenticeship, she graduated from Yonkers Middle High School and planned to attend SUNY New Paltz and major in environmental studies.