Native Plant Horticulture & Public Garden Internship

Learn the ins and outs of California native plant nursery work and horticulture thru this unique internship opportunity in the Santa Monica Mountains! Interns will work with and focus on 60 native plant species (White Sage, Deer Grass, Golden Currant, etc.) found in the Santa Monica Mountains and commonly used in local gardens.

This internship is designed to introduce new and intermediate native plant gardeners, growers and aspiring low-water landscapers to the exciting world of Southern California native plant horticulture. The internship can be tailored to fit each individual's needs and goals, and there will be a focus on the following general areas:

• Nursery- plant propagation (seed germination, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings, divisions) & plant production of local species

• Seed Bank Program- plant population scouting, seed collecting, cleaning and storing

• Plant Installation & Maintenance - installing of plants into public garden settings, landscape maintenance of new and established native plant gardens

• Public Outreach - staffing plant giveaway tables, aid in production of webpages and plant signage to educate park visitors and others about the benefits of using native plants

• Social Media - Participating in videos and other posts educating the public about various aspects of California native plant gardening

Interns can choose to specialize in any of the above specific areas, as time and work allows. Various online classes and hands-on workshops will be part of every internship. Additionally, and according to each interns’ desires, opportunities will be available to participate in the following related fields:

• Herbarium- plant ID, field collecting of plants, mounting and labeling of herbarium specimen

• GPS/GIS- use GPS units for navigation and collection of spatial data

• Restoration- installing plants into restoration sites, watering, mulching and weeding

Participants will check in at the native plant nursery located in Newbury Park at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa. Work locations will vary on a weekly basis and will include the nursery at Rancho Sierra Vista, the King Gillette Ranch display garden, the Satwiwa ethnobotanical garden and a wide variety of unnamed locations in our parks.

Requirements

• Intern must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States

• Interest in native plant nursery work and landscaping, ecological restoration and/ or seed banking and herbarium work

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Must provide 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.

Work Site and Conditions

• Most work will take place outdoors (nursery, gardens, 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.

• Minimum commitment of 12 weeks, 3 - 5 days a week (part or full-time). Working on Saturdays is an option.

• Interns are eligible for a $20/day stipend, housing is not available.

• Position is available year round.

• Fingerprint check may be required.

How to Apply

To apply, submit the following documents via email to [e-mail] .

• Letter of intent (include how the position will benefit your career and life goals, the dates you are available, your understanding that this internship is unpaid except for the stipend, and that you have a method of transportation to and from work)

• Resume

• Three references

For additional questions contact [e-mail]