Internship Descriptions | Mt. Cuba Center

Internship Positions:

Collections Management: Gain invaluable experience with BG-BASE ™ and BG-Map, the computerized plant recordkeeping and mapping systems used at Mt. Cuba Center, as well as the most up-to-date information on botanical nomenclature. Intern will learn why this is a crucial skill required at all public gardens and arboreta. Assist the Plant Recorder with accurate recordkeeping practices. Learn curatorial techniques used in our plant collections such as inventorying, labeling, and mapping. Opportunities exist to explore special projects.

Formal Gardens and Entrance Landscape: The intern will experience two distinct perspectives of gardening with native plants during the twelve weeks internship. The Formal Garden, surrounding the Main House, showcases native plants in an historic and intimate setting. The Entrance Landscape Garden which is our guest’s first view of Mt. Cuba Center, features plant displays in large masses. The intern will learn about garden maintenance, using native plants in both naturalistic and formal designs and other aspects of public horticulture that enhance the visitor experience.

Greenhouse / Research Internship: Learn about Mt. Cuba Center’s Greenhouse production as well as the Plant Evaluation and Introductions Program. Staff will share propagation and production techniques for native woody and herbaceous plants collected from many regions of the eastern United States. These plants are grown for use in Mt. Cuba Center’s gardens and research program. Assist staff in daily maintenance and production activities. The intern will also assist staff in the assessment of native plants for garden use. In general, student will spend 60% of his/her timein Geenhouse, 20% in Research and 20% in education.

Naturalistic Gardens: Work side-by-side with Mt. Cuba Center’s experienced and knowledgeable Horticulturists. There are three internships available, one each in the Woods Path, Ponds & Dogwood Path and Meadow Gardens. Interns assist in the daily maintenance and development of these gardens. In addition, interns will learn the design intricacies of naturalistic plantings. Please state which naturalistic garden(s) you would like to work in:

Ponds & Dogwood Paths — Maintain & help create displays, Learn about the specific plants surrounding the ponds, sphagnum bog garden, trillium garden, moss banks, & woodland edge displays along the Dogwood Path.
Woods Path — Cultivation of native shade plantings and layers Cultivation of native shade plantings within the woodland layers and edges.
Meadow — Work with native grasses and wildflowers of the sunny meadow and meadow/woodland edges.

Natural Lands: Gain knowledge of natural land stewardship techniques, best management practices, and exotic plant suppression principles while assisting with forest and habitat restoration and preservation. Study Piedmont biodiversity, silviculture, wildlife management, and assist with vegetation and wildlife surveys of native flora and fauna.