The Atlanta Botanical Garden invites applications for the Conservation Horticulture Intern position. This short-term internship opportunity aims to host students and recent graduates from universities in Northeast Georgia. Interns will gain immersive experience in conservation horticulture, habitat restoration, and seed banking while building professional networks that can lead to future academic, research, and career opportunities. Successful candidates will work under the supervision of the Conservation Safeguarding Nursery Manager.

This is an 8-week, internship with 32 hours per week at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville location.

Key Responsibilities

Conservation Horticulture:

The Garden maintains extensive ex situ collections of imperiled species native to the southeastern continental United States. These collections require daily maintenance by specialized staff. Horticultural work will take place at the Conservation Safeguarding Nursery in Gainesville, GA. Interns will work directly with Conservation Horticulture staff to focus on the propagation, cultivation, and curation of threatened and endangered plants.

Native Plant Materials Production for Restoration:

Conservation Horticulture Interns will also assist in developing a native plant materials production program to establish a supply chain of high-quality seeds and plugs for restoration. This work includes propagating and maintaining rare and associated common wetland species from southeastern Appalachia and Florida panhandle wet prairies. Interns will work directly with the Conservation Safeguarding Manager and Conservation Seed Increase Horticulturist in greenhouse production, establishment and maintenance of a seed increase farm, and operation of a small restoration seed bank.

Duties will include the following:

• General horticultural care and greenhouse and nursery maintenance
• Standard and innovative methods for maintaining ex situ collections representing wild populations and maternal lines of imperiled species
• Assistance with research and preparation of seed increase beds for common native wetland species associated with rare plants
• Learning about in situ restoration efforts undertaken with partners

• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable.
• Must have a great interest in learning about horticulture, botany, biology, and conservation
• Minimum of one year of prior work experience.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Must be willing to commute to Gainesville, Ga. 4 days per week
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lb. 

Physical Requirements

Ability to spend long periods of time performing complex protocols. Ability to spend time working outside working in a wide range of weather and temperature extremes. 

Mental Requirements

Excellent organizational and time management skills. Ability to effectively respond to multiple, changing, and often conflicting priorities is essential. Must be able to effectively interact with the general public and co-workers and peer professionals. 

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.

It is the policy of the Atlanta Botanical Garden to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

ABG Core Values

• Conservation: We value natural resources and ecosystems, making choices with the long-term sustainability of our planet in mind
• Excellence: We hold ourselves to high standards and expect commitment from each other to contribute to a positive image and reputation for the Garden
• Inspiration: We inspire through the creation of an environment that supports imagination and expression of beauty, providing joy, delight, and a deeper appreciation of plants for everyone
• Integrity: We demonstrate honesty, transparency, accountability, trustworthiness, and ethical behavior, exercising good judgment in our actions and communication
• Respect: We value the diversity of our coworkers, volunteers, and guests, holding each other in the highest regard