Chicago Botanic Garden

At The Garden — Internships

Internship Opportunities

The Chicago Botanic Garden is 385 acres of natural beauty with 24 display gardens and four natural areas. The second most visited public garden in the United States, it has more than 2.4 million plants of more than 9,000 taxa, the largest collection in the Upper Midwest. The Garden, which is a recognized center of education, research, and conservation, has a respected internship program.

Interns gain hands-on experience in the areas of education, horticulture, or research. In addition, as part of their training, interns are required to attend educational programming to broaden their general exposure to public horticulture and research. The educational component consists of lectures, field trips, and workshops offered through the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Most interns work between 37.5 and 40 hours per week. Internships are paid internships unless otherwise indicated. Interns are responsible for finding housing. International students are accepted. Check back for more information on possible additional opportunities.


Conservation and Land Management (CLM)

CLM Intern

Community Gardening

Intern, Green Youth Farm
The Green Youth Farm interns will be working as part of a dedicated, energetic team at one of four sustainable farms, working alongside teenagers to produce vibrant young people and delicious organically grown food for underserved communities.

Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Spring 2011 PreK – 12 School Programs Internship (unpaid)
This internship begins April 2012. The intern will gain experience and knowledge of botanic garden education programs with a special emphasis on plant-based learning for informal youth programs and will facilitate hands-on science field trips for grades K through 12.

Fall 2011 PreK – 12 Grade School Programs Internship (unpaid)
This internship begins September 2012. The intern will gain experience and knowledge of botanic garden education programs with a special emphasis on plant-based learning for informal youth programs and will facilitate hands-on science field trips for grades K through 12.

Horticultural Therapy

Intern, Horticultural Therapy
The Horticultural Therapy intern will work in a team, supporting the staff of the Buehler Enabling Garden as well as programming offsite. Learn about the healing power of plants, and how to use horticulture to promote wellness among populations with disabilities. This internship begins in May and continues through August or September.

Horticulture

Intern, Display Gardens
The Display Garden interns will work closely with different horticulturists to maintain display gardens. Learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden operations by attending staff meetings and weekly intern meetings with guest speakers.

Intern, Production Greenhouse & Nursery
The Production Greenhouse and Nursery intern will work closely with the Plant Production staff in the propagation and production of plants for gardens, collections, native habitats, programs and events. Learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden operations by attending Plant Production staff meetings and weekly summer intern meetings with guest speakers. This is a one-year position.

Intern, Propagation
The Propagation intern will work closely with the plant propagator in the propagation of plants for gardens, collections, native habitats, programs and events. Learn about general Chicago Botanic Garden operations by attending Plant Production staff meetings and weekly summer intern meetings with guest speakers. This is a one-year position.


Ornamental Plant Research

Intern, Plant Evaluation
The intern will work in the Ornamental Plant Research department on a variety of projects including the evaluation of herbaceous and woody plants and the photographic documentation of evaluation plants. This is a 40-hour-per-week, four-month internship.

Plant Science and Conservation

Research Assistant, Plants of Concern
20 hrs/ week for approximately 17.5 weeks (total 350 hours; time each week may vary depending on project needs). Field work for this position takes place at Openlands Lakeshore Preserve near Ft. Sheridan and Highwood in Lake County, IL. Intern will assist POC staff in training volunteers, monitoring rare species, conducting vegetation transects in ravines and mapping invasive plant species. Also included are assisting with data entry, data analysis and preparation of a final report to the landowner. (Position pending funding; hours or length of internship may be extended)

Research Assistant for Rare Plant Monitoring – Midewin
This 7.5-month, 35-hour/week position involves a suite of studies on rare plants at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, including those restricted to the unique dolomite prairie habitat. The Midewin program is part of a broader Plants of Concern (POC) regional rare plant monitoring program. Intern will be stationed at the Chicago Botanic Garden with frequent visits to Midewin, near Joliet, Illinois, and nearby sites. Field duties involve recruiting, training and working with volunteers to monitor selected species through demographic study, censusing, sampling and photopoints. Office duties include data entry and statistical analysis, report writing and GIS applications. The Research Assistant will have the opportunity to create presentations and/or a poster of the work accomplished. This position is pending grant funds.

Interpretive Programs

Interpretive Programs Intern
Gain hands-on experience in informal museum education programs and volunteer management while assisting with and supporting seasonal programs for visitors in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable, Malott Japanese, English Walled, and Model Railroad Gardens.