International Internship Programs

The mission of The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is to understand and conserve tropical plants--with emphasis on epiphytes and their natural habitats--through programs of research, education and horticultural display that promote appreciation of plant life and provide enjoyment for all who visit the Gardens.

Printable Application Form

Introduction

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (MSBG) offers hands-on learning opportunities for students planning to work in taxonomy, ecology, horticulture, environmental education, and nonprofit management.

MSBG internships allow young people to explore the mission of MSBG by working side-by-side with its staff members, volunteers, and adjunct scientists. MSBG resources, including extensive living collections, greenhouses, herbarium, library, research equipment, and local field sites, are also available for student work. Student projects culminate with formal presentations to staff members, volunteers, and guests.

From planting wildflowers to creating a tropical food garden, from developing signage to installing a canopy garden in a live oak, interns leave lasting gifts of their talents and creativity at the Gardens.

Internship Programs

Research Internships. Interns engage in research activities under the guidance of staff advisors on topics proposed by the applicants or by the MSBG research department. Areas of study include systematics (e.g., the taxonomy of orchids, bromeliads, and native plants), canopy ecology, and collections management.

Horticulture Internships. Interns support grounds and greenhouse crews in keeping the live plant collection healthy and aesthetically pleasing through a regular maintenance schedule. Training includes modern techniques of planting, pruning, propagation, fertilization, landscape design, and plant inventory. Activities embrace routine mulching, weeding, potting, mounting, and grooming plants for public display. Interns also work directly with rare and unusual plants.

Education Internships. Interns assist in the public promotion of botany and ecology through teacher workshops, community classes, school tours, distance learning, educational exhibits, signage, and summer camps. Interns also gain experience in teaching, developing curricula, writing educational materials, organizing presentations, and working with various age groups.

Management Internships. Interns work with Communications, Development, and Visitor Services departments to promote MSBG and plant conservation around the world. Interns also gain skills in particular areas of expertise such as writing grants, press releases and popular articles, or working with volunteers to maintain an esprit de corps among all constituents of the Gardens.

Interns

While interns are accepted from the United States and other temperate locations, the program aims to train students from tropical developing countries. Recent interns have come from Cameroon, South Africa, China, Nepal, France, Great Britain, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Cuba. To date, citizens from nearly 50 countries have benefited from the MSBG internship program and returned to their homes with new ideas and skills to become leaders in plant conservation.

An indication of the success of the program is the rate of intern employment at the Gardens. Since the internship program began in 1977, at least eight graduates have joined the Selby staff as scientists and educators. Importantly, interns have maintained their commitment to conservation by taking leadership positions at other botanical gardens and research institutions worldwide. For example:

• Jim Watson (1979, United States): Director of Publications, American Orchid Society
• Jorge Warner (1992, Costa Rica): Executive Director, Lankester Botanical Gardens, Costa Rica
• Gabriel Barbosa (1994, Costa Rica): Owner, orchid nursery and public garden in Monteverde, Costa Rica
• Bruce Burnett (1994, South Africa): Assistant Director, Durban Botanical Gardens, South Africa
• Wesley Higgins, Ph.D. (1994, United States): Director of Systematics, Stark Botanical Research Center, MSBG
• Lorena Endara (2001, Ecuador): Curator of Orchid Collection, Herbario QCA, Quito, Ecuador
• Neera Pradhan (2002, Nepal): Botanical illustrator, Nepal
• Felix Pazos Sanchez (2003, Cuba): Public Relations Officer, Cienfuegos Botanical Garden

Examples of Intern Projects

• Use of trichome morphology for species identification among Tillandsia brachycaulos, T. capita, and T. abdita.
• Vegetative key to the plant families of the MSBG butterfly garden.
• Epiphyte loads on Quercus virginiana vs. Q. laurelfolia: An ecological analysis
• Checklist of the orchid species of Hispañola.
• Ecological links between canopy and ground in a subtropical hammock.
• Guide to the woody plants of South Lido Park.
• Survey of native plants of the Florida West Coast barrier islands
• Examination of ant orchids via X-ray technology

General Information about the Internship Program

Internships last up to three months and can begin any time of the year. During their program, interns take educational field trips to regional nature centers and other botanical gardens. They also attend occasional seminars and assist with major Gardens’ activities such as Plant Fairs, Orchid Ball, Summer Camp, and Lights in Bloom. Interns may also attend monthly meetings of special-interest groups such as the Orchid Society, the Bromeliad Society, the Fern Society, and the Native Plant Society. They may also attend community classes and staff meetings.

Housing facilities are modest and accomodate only one intern at a time. Linens and a washer/dryer are provided. All interns have access to the Gardens including the library, and they enjoy privileges such as discounts on shop purchases and discounted entrance fees to regional tourist destinations.

MSBG interns have student or trainee status and are not considered employees of the Gardens. They receive a modest daily stipend of $15.00 to cover food expenses. Transportation to and from Sarasota, health insurance coverage, and other incidental expenses are the responsibility of the interns. MSBG is a drug-free work environment.

Aspiring interns are advised to contact the head of the department they are interested in working with prior to submitting a formal application. To print a copy of our application please click here or for more information please write to:

Attention: International Internship Program
Department of Education
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236

www.selby.org