EPA Youth Internship and Community Greening Grant

Award Status: Competitive grant awarded May 2024; termination attempted March 2025 (organization appealing)

Geographic Scope: Southwest Philadelphia, PA

Award Components:

• 50 paid youth internships
• 200 trees to be planted
• 120 home garden beds to be installed

Focus Areas:

• Youth employment and job training
• Environmental stewardship
• Community greening initiatives
• Tree planting and urban forestry
• Home gardening promotion
• Community engagement in environmental work

Program Description:
This competitive EPA grant supports paid internship positions for young people in Southwest Philadelphia combined with direct environmental improvement projects including tree planting and installation of home garden beds. The work aligns with Bartram's Garden's mission and reflects community visioning including input from the Southwest Philadelphia Community Leadership Team and Southwest Tree Coalition.

Timing/Implementation:
Primary work focuses on planting season (spring/summer). As of March 2025, the organization reported the EPA was attempting to terminate the legally contracted grant, with appeals underway.

Community Partnerships:

• Southwest Philadelphia Community Leadership Team
• Southwest Tree Coalition
• Bartram's Garden staff and Board