Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University offers a summer internship program for students interested in gaining a “hands-on” experience in a public botanic garden. Duke Gardens is a 57-acre display- and education-oriented botanical garden located on the campus of Duke University in Durham, N.C. The Gardens are divided into distinct sections that include The Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, The Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, The Historic Italianate Terraces and South Lawn, and the Doris Duke Center and Gardens. Duke Gardens hosts many university and community programs and attracts about 300,000 visitors annually.

Our program offers four horticulture internships.

Program Description: Interns will get an in-depth introduction to various aspects of horticulture. They will work in all areas of the Gardens and have a wide range of horticultural experiences and responsibilities. As they work directly with Gardens staff members, daily tasks may include assisting with planting, watering, weeding, pruning, mulching and overall daily garden maintenance.

Interns will gain insight into garden design through visits to local gardens and nurseries and possibly a two-day trip to major botanic gardens and nurseries along the Atlantic Coast. We also try to provide a broad exposure to different aspects of the “green industry,” from growing plants to the design and implementation of gardens. Interns will also complete an independent project, with the possibility of it being implemented in the Gardens.

Read about the 2010 interns' experiences in Amanda Wilkins' blog posts. Post 1. Post 2. Post 3.

Required education: botany, horticulture, ecology, environmental studies or closely related majors.

Compensation: $10/hr. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Help with locating housing is available.

College credit may be arranged through your advisor.

To Apply: Send a resume and three letters of reference with a completed application form to the address below. We will accept applications for summer 2012 until Feb. 24, 2012, or until the positions are filled.
                       
Michelle Rawlins, Horticulturist & Intern Coordinator
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Box 90341
Durham, NC 27708
919-730-3148
michelle.rawlins@duke.edu