Community Reforestation Intern. by Ailani Perez
May 14, 2026
Open gallery
From March 23rd to May 13th, I worked an internship under Dr. Jackson that was funded through the NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant. This grant is in support of the Governor’s 25 Million Trees by 2033 Initiative. My time as a Community Reforestation intern was split between graphic work to be displayed around campus as well as assisting in the technician portion of the project. Our first week was spent observing, snipping invasives, and assessing the forest site for future additions. The goal of this project is to revive the forest section residing next to the Common’s Apartments that is being overrun by invasive vines and multiflora roses. Throughout the first half of the internship, I designed a 4ft by 16ft banner to hang in front of the site with the goal of not only providing a QR code to learn more, but to notify and help students understand that the construction in this area will be for the betterment of the environment on our campus. Branching off the elements within the banner, I designed smaller images to go on the storymap created by Parker and factsheets to go inside the Natural Science building and the Plant Nursery. This internship has truly shaped the way I view collaboration and ultimately my career. The fusion between my Graphic Design major and Environmental Studies minor has broadened my sense of the scientific processes, plant anatomy, and how you can weave art into projects such as these.