This fall, Saher GhulamMohammad (front) and (L to R) Raheem Woods, Byron Davis and Booker Thomas have been working alongside the Forest Park Forever Land Management team as part of their horticulture internship through Gateway STEM High School. Gateway’s mission of preparing students for employment and further education is enhanced by the real-world experiences provided during internships. Forest Park Forever is thrilled to share not only the Park’s expansive outdoor classroom with the students of St. Louis, but also the skilled supervision and training provided by our staff.

During recent months, the interns’ tasks have included removing summer annual displays, including 200 pounds of fresh, locally grown beets they delivered to Operation Food Search. They could also be found enthusiastically and carefully planting spring bulbs, mulching beds, collecting seeds and removing invasive species. This new partnership has already proven to be mutually beneficial. We look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come, working together to offer a more fully integrated, cooperative green workforce development program for youth in St. Louis.