In My Backyard

NPS

 

In My Backyard Logo created by Kate, Klondike’s Artist-In-Residence and former IMBY Intern

The In My Backyard (IMBY) Program is the first of its kind in the National Park Service (NPS). It is an effort by youth to find creative, innovative ways to engage fellow youth with the park’s surrounding communities, partners, and public lands. In doing so, these young professionals (known as IMBYs) increase access and engagement with national parks through designing programming, as well as cultivating networks of their own.

The hope of IMBY is to help foster the next generation of stewards and to create opportunities for communities in the NPS.

Young people have existing strengths, resources, and capabilities that have yet to be tapped; IMBY is here to provide resources and create space that empowers individuals to lead change and be decision-makers. IMBY was created by youth, for youth to actively invite diverse voices to share ideas and stories that can create a sense of belonging for all in our public lands.

 

 

NPS Photo/M.Young

Internship Overview

Are you a 16-18 year old interested in learning more about national parks and developing your professional communication, research, and public speaking skills? Come intern with us this summer! Learn how the National Park Service preserves and celebrates local history and heritage by sharing stories. You will create your own final project, such as a short talk, poster, or pamphlet, using skills developed during this internship.

The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work.

In partnership with Discover Your Northwest, we are excited to continue to offer this program created by and for youth and young adults in the Seattle area.

As an In My Backyard summer intern, you will:

• Become familiar with the National Park Service, your public lands, and all they have to offer.

• Participate in activities such as walking tours, outdoor recreation and storytelling workshops, federal resume building, and field trips.

• Develop your own ranger program! Learn research, presentation, and communication skills from real-life National Park rangers.

Youth who are new to national parks and curious to learn more are highly encouraged to apply.

 

Program Highlights

A Place at the Park Exhibit In My Backyard’s 2019 Cohort created their own exhibit at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle visitor center! The 2019 summer program was centered on the overarching question: What would your ideal national park be like? A main goal of this approach was two-fold: to give youth the space to express their experiences and opinions and to give the NPS the opportunity to listen and learn from its next generation of visitors, workforce, and supporters. Challenged by IMBY staff to dream big and bold in their exhibit designs, interns rose to the occasion in challenging current perceptions about national parks and reinforcing what they would like to continue to see in public spaces! Through diverse styles (including LEGO, canvas paintings, black-and-white photography, and visual storytelling), interns collaborated with program staff to capture their unique ideas in the form of an exhibit.

Community Mural Party After the 2019 exhibit was installed, the youth interns then hosted a Community Mural Party! Each youth intern created a mural on a canvas to then be completed by community members. On each of the fourteen canvases were two elements: one word that describes how the youth intern wants to feel in their ideal national park and symbolism they felt was representative of that feeling. For example, one youth intern desired to feel “awe” in their ideal national park and knew mountains would elicit that feeling for them. The Community Mural Party welcomed community members into the park, where the A Place at the Park Exhibit was located, to grab materials, and paint each canvas as a community. After the event, all the canvases were painted and brought together to create a mural that was featured at community events, on social media platforms, and now reside inside Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle.

 

 

NPS/Young