Horticulture Intern, Conservation

The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites applications for the Conservation Horticulture Intern position. This short-term internship opportunity aims to host students and recent graduates from universities in Northeast Georgia. Interns will gain immersive experience in conservation horticulture, habitat restoration, and seed banking while building professional networks that can lead to future academic, research, and career opportunities. Successful candidates will work under the supervision of the Conservation Safeguarding Nursery Manager.

This is an 8-week, internship with 32 hours per week at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville location.

Native Plant Materials Production for Restoration:

Conservation Horticulture Interns will also assist in developing a native plant materials production program to establish a supply chain of high-quality seeds and plugs for restoration. This work includes propagating and maintaining rare and associated common wetland species from southeastern Appalachia and Florida panhandle wet prairies. Interns will work directly with the Conservation Safeguarding Manager and Conservation Seed Increase Horticulturist in greenhouse production, establishment and maintenance of a seed increase farm, and operation of a small restoration seed bank.

Duties will include the following:

• General horticultural care and greenhouse and nursery maintenance
• Standard and innovative methods for maintaining ex situ collections representing wild populations and maternal lines of imperiled species
• Assistance with research and preparation of seed increase beds for common native wetland species associated with rare plants
• Learning about in situ restoration efforts undertaken with partners