Youth Engagement
Opportunities for Solano High School Youth
Sustainable Solano has grown our youth engagement across our various programs, including new Fellowships and internship opportunities for Solano high school students. This page outlines the upcoming opportunities and training sessions.
All internships include certification sessions that explore environmental challenges at a global, community and individual level, bringing the discussion to bear on youth leadership and engagement around environmental justice. Internships are specific to the programs they support, so each internship program may have a different focus.
After participating in an internship, students are invited to join the Youth Leadership Council to connect with other students and continue shaping outreach within their communities.
Students interested in internships should fill out this application form.
Questions? Contact Allison Nagel at allison@sustainablesolano.org
Scroll down or use the links below to learn more about each internship opportunity.
Community Resilience
Youth Wellness (cooking and gardening)
Urban Ag & Gardens
- None open at this time
Youth Cooking/Local Food
- None open at this time
Community Resilience
Vallejo Environmental Leadership Fellowship
Location: Vallejo
Commitment: 5:30-7 pm Tuesdays Feb. 4 through May 20, 2025 (no meetings March 25 or April 1)
Stipend: $200/4 weeks ($700 total)
Application deadline: Jan. 24, 2025, but applications may be accepted up to the start of the program if there is space available
The Youth Environmental Leadership Fellowship creates an opportunity for high school leaders to develop the skills needed to shape change in their communities today. Through this program, youth will become knowledge ambassadors within their communities based on their research and hands-on experience. We will research, conduct outreach and participate in hands-on activities around air quality, flood resilience, urban green spaces and local food. Priority is given to students who live or go to school in Vallejo.
Interns will be expected to attend weekly in-person meetings in Vallejo, as well as 5-6 weekend or evening community events, and must be able to transport themselves or take public transit as supported by the stipend. (This program includes the certification material as part of the schedule.)
Urban Ag & Gardens
Youth Wellness
Benicia Youth Wellness
Location: Benicia
- Culinary sessions at Benicia Community Center
- Gardening sessions at Swenson Garden at Heritage Presbyterian Church
Commitment: 4:30-6:30 pm Tuesdays for 12 weeks (February through April 2025)
Stipend: $200 every 4 weeks
Application deadline: Jan. 27, 2025. Space is limited.
Sustainable Solano is excited to announce the Benicia Youth Wellness internship — an incredible opportunity for high school-aged youth in Benicia this spring! This hands-on program is designed to offer valuable experience in culinary arts, gardening, and wellness education. Participants will gain practical hands-on skills in healthy cooking, sustainable gardening, and overall wellness while guided by Sustainable Solano staff, local chefs, garden educators, and farmers.
Informational Zoom Meeting
To learn more details about the upcoming internship and ask your questions please join us for our informational zoom meeting.
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 21
- Time: 5- 6 pm
- Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/G2umk6bmRXikgZbwQ9QGPA
Youth Cooking/Local Food
Certification Sessions
High school students must participate in one of Sustainable Solano’s free certification sessions to participate in an internship. Certification sessions are offered in-person and online.
During certification, students will participate in Pachamama Alliance’s Awakening the Dreamer course and reflect on their vision for the world through a collage-art project, explore One Planet Living principles as a sustainability framework and approach to shaping personal action plans, and learn how to research environmental challenges within their communities.
Online internships are done in two parts. Participants must attend both sessions and there is independent work that needs to be done before each meeting.
Want to participate in a certification session but have a schedule conflict? Reach out to Allison Nagel at allison@sustainablesolano.org
Learn More
Internship Addresses Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Solutions
Our Nature-Based Solutions internship in Suisun City focused on the risks posed by sea level rise and possibilities with nature-based solutions to flooding. Interns learned about these approaches and brought their insight to community gatherings to get resident insight about risks, how they use the waterfront, and what types of solutions they prioritize. Here, Alan shares about his experience in the internship.
SuSol Celebrates its 25th Year with Milestone Event
This year marks a significant milestone for Sustainable Solano as we celebrate 25 years of fostering sustainability, resilience, and community well-being in Solano County. To commemorate this achievement, we invite you to join us Sept. 21 for an unforgettable evening in the picturesque Suisun Valley.
Farm Field Trip Highlights Connections to Food and Well-Being for Interns
Student interns attending a field trip to Morningsun Herb Farm in March had an opportunity to touch, taste and smell a variety of plants and herbs as part of our Youth Wellness Program. The grounding, multisensory experience of visiting Morningsun provided a unique opportunity to engage with herbs, and invited full-bodied mindfulness, encouraging our students to slow down and be present with their thoughts and each other.