Alpine Strategy Fieldwork Internship, Intern chez DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS INC

Description

About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. 

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Alpine Strategy Fieldwork Internship, Intern in our Horticulture Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Position Summary and Goals:  

Field support and data collection of Alpine species. Primary work areas will include the York Street site and travel to Wyoming or other western states.

Compensation package includes a housing stipend of $1,000. Details to be covered during the interview process.

Background: 

In 2020 Denver Botanic Gardens along with Betty Ford Alpine Gardens published the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation (Alpine Strategy). The Alpine Strategy is a blueprint for protecting Alpine plants and ecosystems in the United States, Canada and Mexico, focusing on the role of botanic gardens in this effort. One of the major goals of the strategy is to document Alpine diversity and collect seeds for long term ex situ conservation (seed banking).

To be considered, please submit your application by Friday, January 30, 2026.

Requirements

Internship Highlights:

Interns will take part in field trips, lectures, and group projects. We at Denver Botanic Gardens feel strongly that there is no substitute for hands-on learning so in addition to the project and participating in the learning opportunities, interns are expected to work alongside their mentors and other horticulturists in the Gardens. This will include participating in the daily activities associated with public garden maintenance – weeding, watering, planting, accessioning, preparing for special events, etc. 

The goal of the internship is to provide an overview of public horticulture as well as useful experience in a specific area which can help interns define their interests in horticulture. 

 As a member of Denver Botanic Gardens staff, interns will participate in employee meetings and other day-to-day operations and will be subject to all Denver Botanic Gardens employment policies. 

In Denver temperatures can reach a sizzling 100° in mid-summer, while temperatures at our Mount Goliath site can drop into the 50’s. Humidity is very low here, however, there are occasional days of rain or drizzle. Interns should be prepared to work in these environmental extremes as the work site is primarily outdoors.

Regular attendance at the work site may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.

All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

General Duties and Responsibilities/Deliverables:

• Help in the field with data collection, and preparation of herbarium vouchers.
• Ensure the data for each specimen and seed collection is correct before sending to Plant Records.
• Help to ensure data collected in the field is correct and ready for Plant Records.
• Presentation to staff and blog post detailing highlights of internship experience.

Skills that will be learned or refined:

• Identification of Rocky Mountain Alpine Species. 
• Data collection through field maps.
• Preparation of herbarium vouchers from the field to intake stages in the herbarium.
• Care of Alpine plants in cultivation. 

Horticultural knowledge that will be learned and how this project will link classroom theory with practical experience:

This will be an excellent opportunity to learn heavy plant identification skills connecting the living collection through field and conservation work. On days we are in the garden we will cover cultivation and care of alpine plants and daily maintenance.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
• High school diploma / GED and/or combination of education and equivalent experience is required.
• Experience/interest in plant conservation a plus.
• Experience/interest in working in a horticultural environment a plus.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams. 
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

To be considered, please submit your application by Friday, January 30, 2026.

Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!