Today’s young people are growing up in a world of complex problems: climate change, droughts, wildfires, water scarcity, and social and environmental inequalities. The Trust, through its Rising Leaders Program, provides opportunities for young people to build leadership, advocacy, and professional skills that work toward creating a more just and sustainable future for the Colorado Plateau.
We take 15- to 30-year-olds to far-flung corners of the Colorado Plateau, build connections with landscapes and each other, hone advocacy and community organizing skills, talk about tough issues, and offer opportunities for budding activists to put it all into practice.
We take students to the state capitol, local farms, forests, and desert lands. Young leaders come away from these experiences with a deep understanding of issues facing public and tribal lands.
From lobbying strategies to science communication, we pair advocacy training with opportunities for students to practice their new skills. Our leadership program gives rising leaders tools to effect change.
Each year, interns dive into the Trust's work, set their own professional goals, develop skills, and study issues related to public and tribal lands, all the while receiving a competitive living wage.
We prioritize diversity in the groups of young people with which we work, emphasizing Indigenous communities of the Colorado Plateau. We work closely with local high schools, Diné College, Northern Arizona University, and Fort Lewis College to help grow the next generation of conservation and environmental justice leaders.
Calling all 18-27-year-olds! Each summer, we host a free training program for young environmental justice leaders. Created by and for young people, LeaderShift connects young advocates with environmental and social justice issues on the Colorado Plateau.
Jump start your advocacy career with a paid 12-week internship. Forget about making copies. You'll dive into fieldwork, community organizing, research, and more. Interns and fellows learn how to become movement leaders, work alongside Trust staff, and partner with local communities.
Internship applications typically open in February.
Whether we're collecting data for climate change research or helping Native farmers dig out irrigation ditches, our student volunteers put their minds and backs into the work. We meet with traditional knowledge holders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and our own program staff to learn about and support projects across the plateau. Learn more about our work with local farmers ›
The Rising Leaders Program is ever evolving. Our goal is to create curriculum and opportunities that reflect the needs of young people across the Colorado Plateau. The Rising Leaders Advisory Council gives us feedback and guidance, which we implement into the projects and programs we offer.
Looking to launch your career in conservation, advocacy, or environmental justice? Come work for the Grand Canyon Trust.
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We're preparing young Indigenous leaders to invest in their communities through internships, leadership training programs, river trips, and more.
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Rising leaders draft an action plan for a healthy and just future on the Colorado Plateau.
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