Story by Beatriz Adriana Manzo

This week, GRUNT graduates were engaged in internships across the City of Portland.

The Greenspaces Restoration and Urban Naturalist Team (GRUNT) is a volunteer naturalist and job training program for teens. GRUNT graduates become a part of an extensive pipeline of environmental experiences, scholarships, and paid jobs.

My name is Beatriz Adriana Manzo. I graduated from GRUNT in 2008 during my sophomore year of high school. GRUNT has provided an important key that has allowed me to open doors to many great opportunities.

This Spring Break, I feel honored for having the privilege to intern in Commissioner Nick Fish’s office. I never imagined how interesting politics can be, and how much I could learn in just one week. I am very thankful to Commissioner Nick Fish’s staff for sharing all their work stories, for letting me feel part of the team and most of all for helping GRUNT to continue growing and progressing.  

If you know young people who may be interested in the GRUNT program, encourage them to visit GRUNT’s website for more information.

Pictured: City of Portland GRUNT interns Alejandro, Linh, Beatriz, and Mary.

“Jr. GRUNTs” in Action

AngelicaThornton, KATU News