Description:

Internship Title: Horticulture Internship

Internship Department: Planning and Design

Objective: To expose interns to the many facets of sustainability, horticulture, cultivation and design.

General Responsibilities
• Plant, weed, water and otherwise maintain the aquariums gardens under supervision of staff.
• Other duties and projects as assigned. All Interns would be responsible for their own project and record keeping.

Potential Intern Projects

• Animal Foods Program
This project will develop harvest schedule and amounts for crops that will provide enrichment to our animals. This project also includes coordinating with Fishes department for the weekly delivery schedule.

• Xeriscape, Dune & Wetland Gardens
This project involves weekly weeding and maintenance. New plantings will be monitored and hand watered if needed. Plant ID list to be compiled.

• Square Foot Vegetable Garden (Urban Vegetable Gardening)
Intensive vegetable growing demonstration garden. This area is developed to show visitors the amount of produce that can be grown in a small area.

• Migratory Bird Garden
This 40,000 square foot garden provides habitat for migrating species on our building’s lakeside. New native plantings will be monitored, weeded and plant ID list compiled.

• Composting Display
This area will demonstrate different methods of composting for our visitors to experience. Vermicomposting and other methods will be employed and evaluated. Collect composting data on a day-to-day basis.

Final Product(s): A better understanding of sustainable gardening practices, food systems and organic growing techniques.

Qualifications: A desirable candidate must be able to multitask, work well with teams and independently as well as effectively manage his or her time. A candidate who is a self-starter and has an interest in botany, gardening, sustainability or conservation is preferred.

Minimum GPA: 2.5 on a 4-point scale.

Desired Year in School: Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.

Compensation: Unpaid. Interns must make arrangements with their schools to gain academic credit for this internship. Shedd Aquarium is happy to provide any work documentation necessary for this process.

Desired Majors: Environmental science, conservation, horticulture, botany, or similar field.

Time Commitment: Interns are required to commit to eight to twelve weeks at 20 hours per week minimum. Interns will have a focused project assigned to them in which they will be the primary gardener. Teamwork will be a large focus and maintenance of all garden spaces will be required from all participants.

For training purposes Wednesday availability is preferred.

Learning Potential: Exposure to a variety of environmental and agricultural issues through research and field experience. Ability to manage, organize and communicate various sustainable gardening practices through the building and to Shedd’s guests.

Connections to other Shedd staff, interns and vendors through formal and informal trainings as well as mentorship opportunities.

To Apply: Print and complete the application packet available on our website at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/apply_internship.html. A list of the required documents is on the website.

If you have any questions regarding this internship or our program, please e-mail the Volunteer & Internship Program Manager at internship@sheddaquarium.org.

Application Deadline:
March 1st for Summer Intern, June 1st for Fall Intern or until the internship is filled.

Paid Internship Info:

unpaid

End Date:

05/15/2013,

Deadline:

04/15/2013

Tags:

Horticulture  Internship-  Summer  2013 

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