INTRODUCTION
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, located three hours North of San Francisco, offers internships throughout the year. The arena of public gardens is fast becoming the horticultural employment field of the future. Internships are an important part of a powerful, well respected résumé. Although we cannot provide a stipend, we do offer on-site housing for interns in our historic farmhouse, just a short walk from the ocean bluffs. Internships run from three to six months and can be extended for up to one year. The size and intimacy of our Gardens offers a unique, full-spectrum view of the public garden field. Internships start on a rotational basis to give an overall experience in how a public garden functions. Specialization in one or more of the areas below is encouraged for longer term interns.
CATEGORIES
Interns can gain experience in the following areas:
Gardening: Work with the grounds staff planting and maintaining our various gardens and collections. Our collections include Tender Species Rhododendrons, Big Leaf Rhododendrons, Fort Bragg Rhododendrons, Fuchsia species and hybrids and South African Bulbs. Other garden areas include Heather, Dahlia, Perennial, Woodland, Mediterranean, Succulent and Vegetable Gardens.
Nursery: Learn all aspects of the nursery trade from propagation and plant buying to retail displays and sales. Gain hands on experience in container culture. There is no quicker way to learn plant names and cultural information than helping customers in our retail nursery. This type of experience is very helpful for all those who are serious about a career in horticulture.
Education / Interpretation: Aid the Gardens in interpreting our unique gardens and the ecology of the Mendocino Coast. This includes organizing workshops, developing children's educational materials, strengthening ties with local schools, continuing to develop our docent program and increasing interpretive signage. There are lots of opportunities for independent projects in this area.
Restoration: Work in our extensive natural areas to enhance the native flora. Remove exotics, replant our forests, propagate natives, and research restoration techniques. Our native plant communities include mixed coniferous forests, closed cone pine forests, riparian corridors, coastal prairie and coastal bluffs.
Plant Records: Continue to update our records by comparing database information to the plants in the field. Research unusual and unidentified species. This includes direct contact with local and worldwide plant experts. Use surveying equipment to map our grounds and collections. Become familiar with BG Base and BG Map. Improve labeling throughout the grounds. Improve communications with other botanical institutions. This area is for the botanically minded and will involve plant keying and research.
APPLICATIONS
If you are interested in an internship, please contact Karen Clayton: by phone (707) 964-4352 ext. 25; or email intern@gardenbythesea.org for dates of the next opening.
Directions: To apply for an internship, please post a one-page cover letter stating how a Gardens internship would support your professional growth, and how you can aid the Gardens in achieving its mission. Include your résumé along with three professional references. Letters of recommendation are a big plus. You will be notified when we receive all of your application materials. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns — follow up phone calls are always a good idea.
Please mail internship application materials to:
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 North Highway One
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Attention: Karen Clayton
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