Central Houston Intern Discovers Her Passion!

The following guest post was written by Rachel, about her internship experience with us this summer.

As a Senior at Sam Houston State University studying Plant and Soil Sciences with a minor in Environmental Science, I have always known that I chose the correct major but haven’t been sure what I want to do with it. Yellowstone Landscape has opened my eyes to the possibilities! During my time as an Intern, I have had the opportunity to learn about account management, installation, irrigation, construction, arbor care, design, and the ins and outs of the commercial landscape industry.

I began my journey with Yellowstone when I met Lisa Hall during the 2021 virtual National Collegiate Landscape Competition. During her presentation, she shared the amazing opportunities this internship offers, and throughout this summer it has exceeded all expectations.

I have learned not only about the commercial landscape industry, but also about myself and where my passion lies. One of my favorite experiences has been working with the arbor care division and learning the importance of the work they do. Pruning may seem routine but there is skill and thought put into every cut made. This benefits the health of the tree as well as the safety of those around it. Trees are especially important in cities such as Houston where I am located. By working with building contractors, businesses, and homeowners we can preserve existing trees and keep them safe in their environment. With the arbor care division, I was able to witness astonishing tree removals, one of my favorites was in the rhino enclosure at the Houston Zoo! While removing an unsafe tree we discovered a baby bird that we, fortunately, were able to save from its precarious location in the tree.

My internship with Yellowstone Landscape has taught me the importance of the industry and has given me a passion for arbor care. Through this amazing learning experience, I now have a clearer picture of what lies ahead of me and I am excited for the future.