Gardens Internships

Conservation Internship at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Summer 2025

Supervisor: Emily Griffoul, Conservation Scientist

Summary: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is uniquely positioned to address conservation of the fragile alpine environment. The Gardens is spearheading the implementation of the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation to understand and protect this special habitat.

We are looking for a recent college graduate to assist our Conservation Scientist with the summer 2025 field season. Work will include extensive time in the alpine areas of Colorado collecting and documenting alpine plants, and managing data and collections on-site at the Gardens. Occasionally, the team will travel overnight and/or camp, including in the backcountry. The ideal candidate will be passionate about conservation and alpine ecosystems, organized, self-motivated, a team player, and be interested in developing leadership skills. S/he will also have experience identifying plants in the field using a dichotomous key and be comfortable working outside in tough conditions.

Duties:

• Assist the Conservation Scientist on various projects relating to the Alpine Strategy including research, field forays, and outreach
• Identify alpine plants in the field using dichotomous key
• Collect and prepare voucher specimens for herbarium collections
• Collect and process seeds for seed banking
• Keep detailed, organized records of field and Gardens activities
• Manage data, including entering and checking records from the field
• Supervise volunteers both in the field and at the Gardens
• Participate in garden events, workshops and educational outreach
• Occasionally provide Gardens visitors with information
• Compose newsletter and social media content and blog posts relating to conservation and alpine plants
• Help with projects and duties as staff needs across all Gardens operations

Requirements:

• Recently graduated from college with a focus on environmental science, ecology, plant science, and/or conservation
• Experience using a dichotomous key to identify plants
• Practical previous experience in an ecological field setting
• Valid driver’s license and access to vehicle
• Passion for conservation and ecological research
• Works well in a team setting and communicates efficiently and effectively
• Physical requirements: 
  • Ability to hike at elevation in remote areas on steep, difficult terrain in inclement weather (rain, snow, heat, sun, etc)
  • Ability to carry up to 50lbs of equipment
  • Ability to spend full days in the field (4+ a week), office, and Gardens settings, and occasionally overnight camping trips in remote areas

Desired Skills:

• Ability to work independently and solve problems
• Experience using Google Workspace and Microsoft Excel
• Picks up new skills quickly and adapts to new information and situations
• Understanding of Colorado mountain ecosystems and their native plants
• Basic understanding of conservation topics and rare plant management techniques
• Excellent attention to detail
• Organized and self-directed
• Backcountry hiking and camping experience

Internship Details:

• $500/ week stipend (pre-tax), plus shared housing provided in Vail
• Internships are full-time and start mid-May, and end late September 2025
• Internship promotes studying and understanding alpine plants, mountain ecosystems, and the inner workings of a small nonprofit botanic gardens

To apply for the Conservation Internship, please email a resume, cover letter, and contact for two references to our Conservation Scientist, Emily Griffoul, at emily@bettyfordalpinegardens.

There are two Horticulture Internships available in 2025: the Public Horticulture Internship and the Public Horticulture Curatorial Internship

Supervisors for both internships: Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections, and Amanda Goodwin, Horticultural Manager

Position Title: Public Horticulture Intern 

Department: Horticulture 

Reports To: Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections & Amanda Goodwin, Horticultural Manager

Employee Status: Summer Intern 

Employment Timeline: Mid May – Mid August (flexible start and finish date(s), based on intern(s) schedule).

Organization Mission: To protect the alpine environment through education, conservation and living plant collections. 

Internship Mission: Beyond the primary focus of providing a beautiful garden experience for every Guest, this internship will present the intern with many opportunities to broaden their experience within the horticulture, conservational and educational fields and to learn about different careers in Public Horticulture. 

Academic/Experiential-Learning Nexus: Horticulture, Public Gardening.

Overview: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is an internationally acclaimed botanic garden known for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation. Located in the small resort town of Vail, Colorado which attracts a global audience for its skiing and outdoor recreation, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America situated at 8,200’ (2,700 m) in the central Rocky Mountains. The 4.6 acre cultivated gardens attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually to see its unique collection of alpine and mountain plants collected from around the world. 

Position Summary: The intern will immerse themselves in the following areas: 

• Ornamental gardening, including planting, mulching, weeding, staking, dead-heading, pruning, watering, pest identification and integrated pest management, plant identification, and developing knowledge of plant, design, and material needs 
• General maintenance of gardens and educational center, horticulture buildings, and equipment, including raking, sweeping, cleaning, sharpening, and repairs as needed 
• Propagation/Production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed, cuttings, transplanting, watering, additional plant care, and greenhouse management 
• Conservation duties, plant pressing, seed collection, in-field plant ID, plant collection, hiking day trips.
• Plant curation, including labeling, record-keeping, mapping, plant photography, and phenology • Other departmental and/or organizational duties as needed (e.g., special events, etc.) 

Qualifications: The successful candidate must be comfortable interacting with Guests, Staff, and Board members. The candidate must have some educational and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance. They must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, and be willing to participate in all horticulture and garden maintenance practices, including cross departmental duties. 

Schedule: This is a five-day/week 40hrs +/- on-site internship (days and hours will vary). This position begins in May/June 2025 and continues through August of 2025, with some flexibility on start and finish dates, due to candidate’s availability (e.g., school schedule, etc.). 

Internship Housing and Pay Details: $500/ week stipend, plus shared housing with other interns provided at no cost to intern(s) in Vail via Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail Resorts. Housing is about 1.5 mi away from gardens, 20 min walk to gardens and housing is very accessible to the free Town of Vail Bus System. Applicants may  have a car but do not need a car.

Application Deadline: Applications are currently open, apply today. Application closes Feb 1st.

Send resume, cover letter & (3) references via email to: 

Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections.

colin@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Physical demands (in a usual workday): 

Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position: 

90% of time bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements 

10% of time in sitting position 

Maximum load an employee will be required to lift/carry is 50 lbs.

*This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the company reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances dictate (such as emergencies, weather conditions, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, special events, or technological developments).

Position Title: Public Horticulture Curatorial Intern 

Department: Horticulture & Plant Records

Reports To: Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections & Amanda Goodwin Horticultural Manager

Employee Status: Summer Intern 

Organization Mission: To protect the alpine environment through education, conservation and living plant collections. 

Internship Mission: Beyond the primary focus of providing a beautiful garden experience for every Guest, this internship will present the intern with many opportunities to broaden their experience within the horticulture field and to learn about different careers in Public Horticulture. 

Academic/Experiential-Learning Nexus: Horticulture, Public Gardening, Focusing on Plant Records

Overview: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is an internationally acclaimed botanic garden known for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation. Located in the small resort town of Vail, Colorado which attracts a global audience for its skiing and outdoor recreation, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America situated at 8,200’ (2,700 m) in the central Rocky Mountains. The 4.6 acre cultivated gardens attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually to see its unique collection of alpine and mountain plants collected from around the world. 

Position Summary: The intern will immerse themselves in the following areas: 

• Ornamental gardening, including planting, mulching, weeding, staking, dead-heading, pruning, watering, pest identification and integrated pest management, plant identification, and developing knowledge of plant, design, and material needs 
• General maintenance of gardens, horticulture buildings, and equipment, including raking, sweeping, cleaning, sharpening, and repairs as needed 
• Propagation/Production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed, cuttings, transplanting, watering, additional plant care, and greenhouse management 
• Plant curation, including labeling, record-keeping, mapping, plant photography, and phenology • Other departmental and/or organizational duties as needed (e.g., special events, etc.) 
• Conservation duties, plant pressing, seed collection, in-field plant ID, plant collection, hiking day trips.
• Curatorial duties including but not limited to, bed inventorying, BG BASE data management, plant ID and photography, record keeping.

Qualifications: The successful candidate must be comfortable interacting with Guests, Staff, and Board members. The candidate must have some educational and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance. They must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, and be willing to participate in all horticulture practices. 

Schedule: This is a five-day/week 40hrs +/- on-site internship. This position begins in May 2025 and continues through August of 2025, with some flexibility on start and finish dates, due to candidate’s availability (e.g., school schedule, etc.). 

Internship Housing and Pay Details: $500/ week stipend, plus shared housing with other interns provided at no cost to intern(s) in Vail via Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail Resorts. Housing is about 1.5 mi away from gardens, 20 min walk to gardens and housing is very accessible to the free Town of Vail Bus System. Applicants may  have a car but do not need a car.

Application Deadline: Applications are currently open, apply today. Application closes Feb 1st.

Send resume, cover letter & (3) references via email to: 

Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections

colin@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Physical demands (in a usual workday): 

Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position: 

90% of time bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements 

10% of time in sitting position 

Maximum load an employee will be required to lift/carry is 50 lbs.

*This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the company reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances dictate (such as emergencies, weather conditions, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, special events, or technological developments).

Summer Informal Education Internship at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Supervisor: Gabrielle Starr, Education Director

Summary: Work at North America’s highest elevation botanic gardens educating youth, families and adults about alpine plants and the mountain environment while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment. 

This summer internship provides numerous opportunities for college age students to gain knowledge, skills and practical experience working at the highest elevation botanic gardens in North America. Throughout the season, the intern will be supported in gaining valuable experience in environmental education, enhancing their communication skills, contributing to the botanic garden’s mission, and developing a clearer understanding of their career goals.

Applicant Requirements:

• Current enrollment or degree in Education, Environmental Sciences, Botany, Sustainability Studies, or related field
• Completion of at least one Education course
• Experience or interest in conducting programs with families, children and adults
• A “people person” with an ability to interact with visitors of all ages
• Creative, positive and organized

Internship Details:

• Full time, approximately 40 hours per week, may require one weekend day
• $500/ week stipend (pre-tax), plus shared housing provided in Vail
• Flexible start date: May 20-27
• Flexible end date: August 20-September 1

Goals and Outcomes:

1. Develop Educational Programs:

• Goals
  •  Create and implement interactive and engaging environmental education programs for visitors of various ages.
  • Design activities and materials that align with the garden’s educational objectives.
  • Assist in organizing and implementing community outreach events and educational programs.
• Outcomes: 
  • Intern designs and implements at least two new educational programs or activities.
  • Intern assists in planning and executing at least two community events or outreach programs.
  • Positive feedback from participants and staff on the intern’s programs.

2. Enhance Communication Skills:

• Goals
  • Improve public speaking and presentation skills through leading programming, discovery cart/educational table and educational workshops.
  • Foster the ability to convey complex environmental concepts in an accessible manner.
  • Gain an understanding of various methods of marketing including social media.
• Outcomes
  • Staff weekly education table/discovery cart. 
  • Deliver a minimum of four guided tours or educational presentations.
  •  Demonstrate improvement in public speaking and ability to engage an audience.
  • Complete weekly social media posts for the gardens.

3. Collaborate with Staff and Gain Practical Experience:

• Goals
  • Work closely with educators, horticulturists, and other staff to support educational initiatives.
  • Participate in daily operations of the botanic garden, including plant care, conservation efforts, and maintenance tasks.
  •  Understand the role of botanic gardens in environmental conservation and education.
  • Gain insight into potential career paths in environmental education and botany and build a network of professional contacts in the field.
• Outcomes
  • Intern participates in plant care, maintenance, and conservation activities.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and practical skills in horticulture and environmental stewardship.
  • Establishment of professional connections and mentors in the field.

4. Research and Documentation:

• Goals
  • Conduct research on specific plants and environmental topics relevant to the Garden and the current exhibit theme.
  • Contribute to the garden’s educational resources.
• Outcomes
  • Ability to identify a minimum of 30 plants in the garden by mid summer. 
  • Contribution of research to the garden’s educational resources or programs.

To Apply: Email a resume, cover letter, and contact information for two references to our Education Director, Gabrielle Starr, at gabe@bettyfordalpinegardens.org

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens offers internship opportunities through Eagle County Schools CareerX Program and Exploremos. Interns will experience all aspects of how a small botanical garden operates. Of the 8-10 days, time will be spent in the Gardens, Education Center, events and visitor relations. Orientation and training as required will be provided. The internships are offered year-round with a flexible amount of days and times. Interns receive school credit for participation.

For more information, contact your school’s CareerX or Exploremos representative, visit their websites or contact us at info@bettyfordalpinegardens.org or call (970)476-0103 x 3.