Native Plant Program Volunteer

Interns crossing the stream on their way to the seed collecting site.

National Park Service

Update: Application window closed for the season.

Learn about native plant restoration and ecology while gaining valuable hands-on field experience by joining the native plant nursery team at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area!

Schedule: Participants can commit any of 1-3 days between Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7am-3:30pm. Volunteer internships begin on May 2, 2024 and June 27, 2024 and may last as little as 8 weeks, or continue for 18-26 weeks. Length of position can be dictated by the participant and is flexible.

Stipend: No stipend is available for this volunteer position.

This volunteer internship is designed to allow participants to explore a variety of aspects within Southern California native plant restoration. Volunteer interns will gain experience working in a variety of plant communities including southern oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, riparian woodland, chaparral, and more. Volunteer interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of restoration duties. Below are some examples:

• Seed Bank Program- species population scouting, seed collecting, cleaning, and storage
• Herbarium Operations- plant ID, plant families of Southern California and taxonomy training, specimen and voucher collection, mounting and labeling herbarium specimens
• GPS/GIS- utilizing GPS units and iPads for navigation and collection of spatial data
• Nursery Operations - plant propagation (seed germination, cuttings, divisions, etc.), plant production of local species
• Vegetation Monitoring- collect vegetation data in a variety of plant communities across the mountains
• Public Service – work with public volunteers, partners, school groups, and more to carry out restoration duties on public lands
• Habitat Restoration - interns may occasionally work with our restoration crew helping with site maintenance and plant installation

Volunteer participants will check in at the native plant nursery located in Newbury Park at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa. Work locations (Government vehicle provided) will vary on a weekly basis, and may include historic Paramount Ranch, Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyon, Rancho Sierra Vista, Solstice and Zuma Canyon, and many more areas within Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area!

Requirements

Everyone is welcome to participate, though people may benefit the most if they are interested in native plants and ecological restoration duties. Commitment to a schedule of 3 days a week (Thurs - Sat) is flexible depending on people’s availability. Participants must provide their own transportation to the work site at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. Valid driver’s license and good driving record are required to drive a government vehicle; however, applicants without a driver’s license will still be considered for the volunteer internship. If accepted, lack of driver’s license may limit the areas visited throughout the park. Attendance on the first day of the volunteer internship (see start dates above) is mandatory to receive safety and orientation training. Attention to detail and ability to work independently and as part of a team is important.

Work Site and Conditions

• Most work will take place outdoors (nursery, hiking, restoration sites)

• Main work site is located at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa in Newbury Park, CA

• Bending, lifting, and moving heavy objects may be required

• Weather can be hot, humid, cold, or rainy

• Housing is not available

• Volunteer interns will be provided with a volunteer cap and work shirts

How to Apply

Submit the following documents via email to [e-mail]

• Letter of intent (include how the position will benefit your career, your availability, your understanding that this volunteer experience is unpaid, and that you have a method of transportation to and from work)
• Resume
• Three references

Application window is now closed for the season.

For additional questions contact [e-mail]