Plant Science & Conservation
Garden Stories
Not Your Average Summer Interns
Meet the Walder Foundation Undergraduate Interns who are making an impact.
The Chicago Botanic Garden's summer interns aren't here to shadow from the sidelines. They came to do the work.
Since 2004, the Garden has hosted the 10-week, paid Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, giving college students hands-on experience in real-world research. They collect data, monitor ecosystems, and contribute directly to plant conservation efforts. Today, the program continues as the Walder Foundation Undergraduate Internship, thanks to the generous support of Walder Foundation.
From fieldwork to findings, the interns immerse themselves in the research process alongside their mentors—faculty and graduate students in the Garden's Graduate Program in Plant Biology and Conservation, who provide steady guidance toward a future of possibility.
Interns learn all aspects of the research journey, attend professional development workshops, visit other scientific institutions, and present their research at a capstone symposium. Together with mentors, they even pursue opportunities to share their work at national science meetings or in peer-reviewed journals.
In turn, interns mentor high school students in the Garden's Science Career Continuum, offering relatable, near-peer guidance that students consistently say is one of the most impactful parts of their time at the Garden.
Here's what their summer at the Garden looks like in action.
Building confidence and community.
The 2025 Walder Foundation Undergraduate Internship Program cohort, along with their Garden staff and graduate student research mentors, are working side-by-side on projects ranging from plant genomics to orchid-microbe interactions and sustainable lawn practices. We’re proud of their research successes, personal growth, and contributions to a strong, supportive research community.
What’s the buzz?
Teaming up with their research mentor, interns lead pollinator safaris at the Garden and in Chicago, teaching members of the public how to spot and identify bees, butterflies, and other local pollinators. This summer, these interns are studying pollinator preferences for various common garden plants.
A moment to relax.
Interns take a break from the lab to explore the beautiful, historic Shakespeare Garden at Northwestern University—a short walk from their summer housing and a perfect spot to reflect and spend time together.
At home in the lab.
Interns work hard in the lab designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and exploring research questions that contribute to our understanding of plant biology and conservation.
Plant science storytellers.
Interns share their summer research with visitors during Scientists in the Garden, a series of public outreach events at the Garden. Whether discussing seed banking, pollinator behavior, or plant genetics, they’re developing their science communication skills while engaging visitors.
Delivering results.
To finish off their time at the Garden, interns present their work at a public research symposium. Interns create posters explaining their research and share their results with staff, graduate students, and Garden visitors, giving them a taste of presenting at a professional science conference.