Buffalo Keepers is a green workforce development and environmental leadership program preparing high school and college students for careers that are shaping a healthier, more sustainable future. Through hands-on projects, interactive workshops, career exploration, and community-based learning, participants build practical skills and gain exposure to careers in urban forestry, agriculture, green construction, planning, energy efficiency, waste reduction, environmental science, and related fields.

Programs run after school during the academic year and continue into the summer through immersive, project-based experiences rooted in learning, creativity, and action. Participants develop technical, professional, and leadership skills while exploring real-world environmental challenges and the growing opportunities within the green economy.

Buffalo Keepers connects environmental education to career pathways and economic opportunity, helping young people understand how their interests and skills can translate into meaningful jobs and long-term careers. Students engage directly with the places and challenges in their communities while building experience in teamwork, communication, research, project management, and problem-solving.

Why Buffalo Keepers?

• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical experience by leading real-world projects that directly impact your community, from environmental justice initiatives to sustainable development practices.

• Leadership Development: Build essential leadership skills such as project management, teamwork, and problem-solving, all within the context of addressing pressing ecological challenges.

• Comprehensive Education: Engage with a robust curriculum that covers environmental justice, climate change, sustainable practices, and community engagement, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of key issues.

• Community Impact: Contribute to meaningful change by working on projects that enhance the sustainability and resilience of your community, empowering you to become a catalyst for long-term ecological health and social equity.