Introducing Urban PATH and NEST Programs

We have two exciting updates to our programming! We have officially renamed two of our cornerstone programs at the NAC—our trails and internship programs. Our trails team is now the Urban PATH (People Advancing Trails and Habitat) program, and our internship and fellowship geared to CUNY students, are now both part of the Urban NEST (Nature, Ecology, Stewardship Training) programming.

The Urban PATH program

This transition from the NAC Trails Team to the Urban PATH Program reflects a shift in the focus of our work, which has developed over the years to include a deeper investment in working with and alongside New Yorkers in communities across the five boroughs.

Along with the new program name, there will be a change to Trail Maintainers. In accordance with the new team name, Trail Maintainers will now be referred to as Pathkeepers. There will be no other changes to our work or engagement as a result of this transition, which is intended to more accurately reflect our current efforts. The change is in name only.

The Urban NEST internship and fellowship

Likewise, we decided to rename our college internship and fellowship to Urban NEST, to better reflect the breadth of learning and experience gained in these rigorous programs. The internship and fellowship are still designed with CUNY students in mind, and their curriculum remains the same—encompassing plant ID, field ecology, data management, ecological surveying, trail improvement, and workforce development. We still look forward to training the next generation of environmentalists and preparing them with valuable skills and experience to fill local green jobs – just with a new name!

Learn more about our trails work, plus the internship and fellowship programs.