Please note this program is only available to those living in the United States.
“My connection with my mentor has allowed me to connect with other professionals, hear how they reached their current career, and has given me a drive to reach the goals I have set for the PLT Green Mentor program and beyond.”
Lillian Dinkins
Mentee
“My connection with my mentor has allowed me to connect with other professionals, hear how they reached their current career, and has given me a drive to reach the goals I have set for the PLT Green Mentor program and beyond.”
Lillian Dinkins
Mentee
“Almost immediately, I felt connected to my mentee and we have had great conversations as we get to know one another and get underneath the ways in which we can both grow and learn from one another. My mentee is a perfect pairing for me and I feel so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to know her. She’s curious and open to the ways in which she can develop herself and already full of amazing ideas on the ways in which our work in this sector can be enhanced. I am so grateful for this experience, for my mentee, and for the great work SFI is doing to create opportunities like this for those already in the field and for those looking to break into it. ”
Annica McGuirk
Northeast Region Representative
National Association of Conservation Districts
“Almost immediately, I felt connected to my mentee and we have had great conversations as we get to know one another and get underneath the ways in which we can both grow and learn from one another. My mentee is a perfect pairing for me and I feel so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to know her. She’s curious and open to the ways in which she can develop herself and already full of amazing ideas on the ways in which our work in this sector can be enhanced. I am so grateful for this experience, for my mentee, and for the great work SFI is doing to create opportunities like this for those already in the field and for those looking to break into it. ”
Annica McGuirk
Northeast Region Representative
National Association of Conservation Districts
“Before the PLT Green Mentor program, I could describe my personal growth using only one word: stagnant. My mentor and I have discussed ways where, as she says, we can “cross-pollinate.” Through collaboration and genuine discussions, we listen, learn, teach and guide each other through our mentorship progress. It’s an overwhelming feeling of joy and motivation.”
Kelly Vera
Mentee
“Before the PLT Green Mentor program, I could describe my personal growth using only one word: stagnant. My mentor and I have discussed ways where, as she says, we can “cross-pollinate.” Through collaboration and genuine discussions, we listen, learn, teach and guide each other through our mentorship progress. It’s an overwhelming feeling of joy and motivation.”
Kelly Vera
Mentee
“My career was and continues to be filled with those who took time out of their professional and personal lives to provide advice and inspiration. The Green Mentor program has given me the opportunity to do the same for our next generation of forestry and natural resource professionals. ”
Terry Baker
CEO
Society of American Foresters
“My career was and continues to be filled with those who took time out of their professional and personal lives to provide advice and inspiration. The Green Mentor program has given me the opportunity to do the same for our next generation of forestry and natural resource professionals. ”
Terry Baker
CEO
Society of American Foresters
About the Green Mentor program
Project Learning Tree (PLT), an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), is proud to offer mentorship programs to support youth, including those facing additional barriers to employment, advance their green career pathways.
The PLT Green Mentor program connects youth (ages 18-30) with green jobs professionals across the United States. It helps create a highly valuable relationship, where the mentee expands their forest and conservation knowledge, career goals and networks, and the mentor fosters the next generation of leaders, shares advice and gains a new perspective.
Please note this program is only available to those living in the United States. We are accepting 100 mentors and mentees on a rolling basis until November 21, 2022, or until spots are filled.
Apply now! February 2023 PLT US Green Mentor cohort
Application deadline: November 21, 2022. Accepting 100 mentors and mentees on a rolling basis or until spots are filled.
Time commitment: 2–3 hours per month from February 2023–July 2023
Benefits: Grow your network, gain new perspectives, develop soft skills, and more!
Our Green Mentor program is powered by an industry-leading platform and algorithm that matches people based on their personalities, goals, interests and more. This helps ensure that our mentor-mentee pairs build successful, productive and trusting relationships.
Pairs work virtually on goals to challenge and help each other grow. The PLT team helps nurture the mentorship relationships with monthly career exploration topics, discussion questions, an online course, and worksheets. Mentees can also partake in monthly themed workshops on topics like resume building, networking, elevator pitches, and more.
Program timeline
Month 1
What are my objectives?
Learn what mentorship is.
Set your objectives for the mentorship program.
Learn what Green Jobs are.
Month 2
Who am I?
Explore your personal characteristics, skills, and values, and how they relate to the workplace.
Build your skills toolbox by recognizing your strengths.
Use self-assessment tools to make informed decisions.
Complete check-in survey #1.
Month 3
What are my opportunities?
Take the Green Jobs Career Personality Quiz.
Explore what different jobs offer.
Discover your mentor’s career path.
Month 4
Who do I want to become, and how do I get there?
Establish goals and building blocks.
Build your long-term career plan.
Create your S.M.A.R.T. goal.
Break down a job posting.
Complete check-in survey #2.
Month 5
How do I take action?
Explore PLT’s tips and tricks for networking.
Build your network.
Host informational interviews.
Month 6
What is my plan?
Learn to be a career advocate.
Complete your S.W.O.T. analysis.
Identify barriers.
Complete the Green Pathway Plan.
Complete check-in survey #3.
Mentor eligibility
Be living in the United States during the program
Have 3+ years of experience in the forest and conservation sector
Meet your mentee(s) wherever they are in their career path by listening and providing constructive feedback
Be open to new ideas and value diverse perspectives
Mentor expectations
When you are accepted as a mentor, you will need to:
Complete the Mentorship Match Survey
Attend the Mentorship Kickoff Webinar and Final Celebration Webinar
Act as a caring and positive role model as your mentee develops their career pathways and experience the workplace
Demonstrate leadership and strong communication skills
Provide opportunities to discuss and model soft skills, such as work-life balance, critical thinking, communications, problem solving, and personal wellness
Learn mentorship best practices, which may include online webinars and training modules, in addition to your own initiatives
Mentee eligibility
Be living in the United States during the program
Be a young adult (age 18–30) who wants support building their career pathway in the environmental science, natural resources, forest and sustainability sector
Have specific skills or habits you want to improve
Be available to meet your mentor 2–3 hours per month (in person or virtually)
Be available to participate in virtual workshops 1–2 hours per month
Commit to the six months of the program and respect the time of your mentor
Mentee expectations
If you are accepted as a mentee, you will need to:
Complete the Mentorship Match Survey
Attend the mandatory Mentorship Kickoff Webinar and Final Celebration Webinar
Set a goal at the beginning of the program and submit a proposal to your mentor and the PLT team
Come prepared with topics for each mentorship meeting (with support from PLT training materials)
Participate in skill development and self-reflection
Engage in a learning process that will help you develop your career pathway, which might include webinars and training modules in addition to interacting with your mentor
Complete the Green Pathway Plan online course by the end of the six-month mentorship term with guidance from PLT and your mentor
Work collaboratively with PLT to ensure that you and your mentor are satisfied with the program
USApplication form
Please note this program is only available to those living in the United States.
Thank you
Thank you for applying to the PLT Canada Green Mentor Program. We will review your application and get back to you with further details.