internship opportunities

Working in the water gardens.

Documenting PlantAsia

Ah, the Rocky Mountains in summer - spectacular vistas, camping and hiking, fishing in sparkling water fresh from the melting snow. And Denver, the Mile High City, home to many pro sports teams, major museums, Red Rocks amphitheatre, a zoo and, of course, Denver Botanic Gardens.

The Gardens has a lot to offer both visitors and staff:

Twenty-three acres in the heart of Denver plus two satellite gardens, all devoted to connecting people with plants
Over 15,000 different plant taxa in our living collections to explore
A world-class tropical conservatory
One of the few public rock gardens in the U.S.
Acclaimed water gardens
Internationally renowned staff
Exceptional resource library

Our Summer Intern Program is open to college undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate students who are eager to put their classroom learning to work in real-world situations and who wish to obtain practical hands-on work experience.

Ten-week paid summer internships are typically 400 hours for the season. Additionally, unpaid internships are available in Horticulture and Plant Research & Conservation throughout the year. Our mentors provide:

Guidance and project oversight
Workspace and the tools needed to do the job
Inclusion of interns in day-to-day operations and meetings to the extent appropriate
A supportive, constructive, interactive learning and work environment, emphasizing open communication and personal growth

As part of the Gardens’ staff, interns are involved in a real-world work environment and develop the practical skills that are important to future employers. All applicants must be legally able to work in the United States and must have a valid driver’s license. If you love plants and want to explore a career in public horticulture, what better way than to come work with us at Denver Botanic Gardens!

Frequently asked questions about internships >>

Doing field research. Working on a beaver dam replica.

2010 GENERAL INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

Please visit this page for a complete job description and application for any of these internships. All available internships are listed on that page.

Plant Records/Curation Internship
Applications will be accepted now through Feb. 22, 2010.
The Plant Records Department tracks the living plant collections through accessioning, labeling and mapping. Interns have an opportunity to learn about plant species that thrive in the Rocky Mountain region. The intern will also learn the database and mapping systems, including AutoCAD, used by the Gardens. Past intern summer projects have involved:

Creating specialized plant tours for the visitors to view on an interactive kiosk
Mapping and photographing the iris and daylily collection
Mapping new garden areas

Horticulture Internship
Applications will be accepted now through Feb. 22, 2010.
Interns are matched with a mentor from our experienced staff and gain invaluable hands-on experience working alongside these professional horticulturalists in the gardens. In addition the intern experience is enhanced by work on a special project that is integral to the gardens in which they work. Typically, one day per week is set aside for field trips, lectures, and discussions that explore various aspects of horticulture. Usually the equivalent of one to two days per week is devoted to the project. Some past intern projects include:

Evaluation, documentation and preservation of wild collected species
Working with special needs groups in our horticulture therapy program
Bed renovation in a tropical conservatory
Pond wetland habitat re-vegetation and interpretation
Green roof maintenance and plant trials
Updating documentation on a collection: Japanese Character Pines

Education – Teacher Internship
Applications will be accepted now through Mar. 31, 2010.
Interns work side-by-side with professional education staff and volunteers involved in the daily operation and implementation of youth education programs at a botanic garden.

internship opportunities

high-altitude gardener

what's blooming?