Conservation Intern

About the position

The Conservation summer internship is a full time, 12-week program, starting 5/12/2025 – 8/1/2025. The Summer Internship in the Conservation department at Naples Botanical Garden offers students an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience working with plants. The intern will work closely with Conservation and Natural Resources, as well as assisting with Regional Conservation and GIS teams across a wide range of in-situ and ex-situ projects focusing on the flora of South Florida and the Caribbean region. The internship opportunity is a paid full-time 12-week position that will provide students the opportunity to broaden their experience in plant conservation practices in a public garden setting.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Conservation and Natural Resources teams on in-situ and ex-situ plant conservation projects, including seed collection and processing, plant surveys, monitoring, plant propagation, and working with rare plant collections in the nursery and garden.
• Assist and support Garden staff in record-keeping and data management, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Natural Resources teams in the management of 90-acres of conservation land and native plantings.
• Assist with eradication of invasive plant species in conservation lands.

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn.
• Possess a commitment to the Garden’s mission of connecting people with plants.
• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team that includes staff and volunteers, as well as work independently to complete projects.
• Be highly motivated and organized with a strong work ethic and attention to detail.
• Be willing and able to work full days outdoors in a hot and humid environment, able to lift and carry at least 35 pounds.
• Possess experience working with plants.
• Possess a working knowledge of MS Office software.
• A pre-employment background check required.