Summer Internships at
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Summer 2009
Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University
announces its summer internship program for students interested
in gaining a “hands-on” experience in a public botanic
garden. Located in Durham, N.C., Duke Gardens is a
55-acre display- and education-oriented botanical garden located
on Duke's west campus. 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 new Doris Duke Visitor Center.
The Gardens hosts many university and community programs and attracts
about 300,000 visitors annually.
Our program offers four horticulture internships
and one education internship.
Horticulture Internship
Interns will get an in-depth introduction to various aspects
of horticulture. They will work in all of the gardens listed above, as well as themed gardens
such as the rose garden, white garden, azalea court and the perennial
border.
The hands-on horticulture intern will work directly with
the Gardens staff throughout the summer, assisting with planting,
watering, weeding, pruning, mulching and overall daily garden
maintenance.
Interns will gain insight to garden design through visits to local
gardens and nurseries and a three-day trip to major botanic gardens
and nurseries along the Atlantic Coast. We also try to provide
a broad experience of the different aspects of the “green
industry,” from growing plants to the design and implementation
of gardens. Interns will also be involved with completing an independent
project with the possibility of it being implemented in the garden.
Education Internship
Assist the Education Department with development, implementation,
instruction and evaluation of educational programs and materials
for school groups, adults, families and visitors. The education
intern will also be included in the internal horticultural workshops
given by various staff and all field trips.
Education: botany, horticulture, ecology,
environmental studies or closely related majors.
Compensation: Duke Gardens pays $9/hr. and hours are M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. We can help you find housing.
To Apply: Send a resume and three letters of reference with a
completed application form
to the e-mail address below. You may also come by the gardens to
fill out the information or call for an application. We will accept
applications until March 13th, or until the positions are filled.
Contact
Michelle Stay , coordinator of interns
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Box 90341
Durham, NC 27708
919-730-3148
michelle.stay@duke.edu
Five positions are available and college credit can be arranged if
coordinated through your advisor.