
Coursework
Forest Project and WERM Classes
Forest Project and Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship (WERM) interns take multiple college-level courses, earning three college credits upon successful completion of each course. Each course takes place for two to three hours twice a week, with additional study hall time throughout the week. Depending on the respective program, interns take these courses on a different schedule, as described below.
The courses offer numerous benefits. They are taught in the fashion of a college class, providing interns early experience with the methods and expectations of college courses. Interns benefit from the depth of topic-based study that occurs, building their skills and knowledge. In addition, the courses may fulfill college requirements, and the credits can be transferred to decrease the amount of total classes interns will have to take to graduate.

Forest Project Intern Schedule
First Summer | Restoration |
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Second Summer | GIS |
WERM Intern Schedule
Phase I | Restoration and GIS |
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Phase III | Science Research |
College courses are different from high school courses and it’s good to be exposed to college courses. It’s good prep so that you’re not completely out of place in your college environment.
What to expect from Restoration of New York City's Natural Areas:
Using methods developed by local scientists and staff from the Natural Areas Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service, students collect their own data in Wave Hill’s woodland. Students learn to analyze their data and present their findings, drawing on topics learned throughout the course including forest ecology, basic botany, soil science, geology of New York City’s natural areas, the history of NYC's natural areas, invasive species, and case studies and current research. For the final project, students analyze how these topics pertain to their woodland site, and develop data-based restoration plans.

From this ecological restoration class, I have indubitably obtained numerous insights into urban ecosystems and the significance of protecting natural areas.
What to expect from Mapping New York City's Urban Environment:
Each class, students will complete a lab assignment based on real-world GIS applications, like modelling erosion or making a trail map. Students spend time outdoors collecting data on trees, plants, soils and invertebrates. They then digitize their findings, and use GIS to make scientific connections and model future scenarios. The course culminates with students completing a final project where they collect new data and create a map of Wave Hill's woodland. Past projects include mapping the edible plants along woodland trails, suitable locations to add mulch piles, and where to plant new oak trees.

What I enjoyed most in the GIS course was learning another way to interpret data. I had not known about GIS before this program and I think it could be used in future cases with school work as well.