Public Garden Horticulture 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 Public Garden Horticulture Internship, Intern in our Horticulture Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Position Summary and Goals:

The intern will be introduced to horticultural techniques and applications required to design, cultivate and maintain a variety of garden spaces in a public garden setting to the highest horticulture standards. Intern will also be introduced to a wide range of plant and garden materials, along with theory, history, design and maintenance techniques for an assortment of our living collections. The intern will have the opportunity to develop plant identification skills and be exposed to additional aspects of a public garden through workshops and supplemental enrichment opportunities. Garden staff work closely with interns to make the experience rewarding and meaningful.

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

Background:

Under direct supervision, the intern will work in support of the Horticulture department in a variety of tasks to help care for and maintain our living collections and be introduced to skills and theory to help further their knowledge of public horticultural practices and the Gardens’ mission of connecting people with plants.

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 participating in 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 variety of areas which can help the intern define their interest in horticulture. 

As a member of the Gardens’ staff, interns will participate in employee meetings and other day-to-day operations and will be subject to all 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:

• Develop skills for the care and maintenance of a living collection.
• Develop skills for the presentation of plant collections in a public garden setting.
• Participate in a variety of workshops, classes, field trips and other enrichment opportunities during the internship.
• Presentation to staff and blog post detailing highlights of internship experience.

Skills that will be learned or refined:

• Learn horticulture principles, techniques and practices and apply them in a public garden setting.
• Plant identification.
• Collaboration with staff from Horticulture.
• Exposure to other departments and collections.

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!