Public Gardens Internships
Tomorrow’s Environmental Leaders
Grow Your Career in Public Gardens
The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers 12-week summer internships for college students seeking hands-on experience in public gardens.
The interns will work under the supervision of horticulture and education staff and will study our native flora, learn skills in applied horticulture, and gain practical experience toward a career in public horticulture.
Participants will gain hands-on experience working as a team and independently with staff and volunteers. Daily duties involve a broad range of practical experiences related to the ongoing operation of a public garden, including garden maintenance, programming, and related activities.
Areas of Concentration
Public Horticulture Internship
Public horticulture interns’ day-to-day schedule will consist of working throughout the Gardens with the Gardens Support horticulture team and volunteers on general landscape maintenance including planting, pruning, propagation, pest and weed management, seed collection and sowing, plant identification, watering, etc.
Informal Education Internship
Collaborate with the Education and Community Engagement team. Assist with weekly summer camps for elementary students, develop interpretive programs for visitors, further engagement with the specialty collections in the library and archives, and advance educational goals.
Each intern will also work on a project of his or her interest that benefits the Gardens and will be required to present their project.
12 Weeks
40 hours/week
Monday–Friday | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Real Experience
Work with staff, volunteers, and the community.
Competitive compensation for
meaningful work
Two Areas of
Concentration
Public Horticulture &
Informal Education
Supplemental Opportunities
Pursue an independent study project and participate in field trips and related events.
Who Should Apply
- Rising juniors or seniors at a four-year college/university (or recent graduates)
- Students majoring in horticulture, landscape design, landscape architecture, biology, botany, ecology, plant science, environmental science, education, museum studies, or related fields
- Motivated individuals interested in learning and teaching about plants and the environment
- Those who enjoy working with people of varying ages, abilities, and interests
- U.S. students only (international applications not accepted at this time)
Learn From Our Alumni
Past Interns Spotlight
Hannah Womble designed and planted a Monarch Waystation in the Southern Living Garden. Hannah’s monarch waystation provides critical habitat for monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), whose population has declined by 80% since the 1990s due to habitat loss and reduced availability of the only plant their caterpillars can eat, milkweed.
Hannah Womble
Public Horticulture Intern 2025
During his internship, Alexander took the time to study the native lycophytes (clubmosses) and bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts). Alexander built a terrarium-style display featuring different species of lycophytes and bryophytes with detailed signage to educate visitors on the evolutionary significance, ecological roles, and local biodiversity.
Alexander Raffeto
Public Horticulture Intern 2025
While working with the education department, Hunter Fosko became involved in Rooted in Community, a newly launched program designed to help community groups take practical steps towards improving and beautifying public spaces. She met with multiple participants, visited their sites, identified common challenges they faced, and created resources to share amongst participants.
Hunter Fosko
Public Horticulture Intern–Education 2025
Harlee McLean contributed to the Kaul Wildflower Garden’s native savannah restoration, pursued independent research projects, and supported educational summer camp programming. She now serves as a biology instructor at the University of Alabama.
Harlee McLean
Public Horticulture Intern 2023
Mandrell Mccray developed a propagation method for the critically endangered Tutwiler Spleenwort, a rare epipetric fern found only in Hale County, Alabama. A graduate of University of West Alabama, he’s exploring careers in ethnobotany and horticulture.
Mandrell Mccray
Public Horticulture Intern 2022
Trent Gilmore created innovative QR code systems for Sonat Lake and Kaul Wildflower Garden that continue to inform thousands of visitors annually. He then went on to serve as seasonal botanist role with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska.
Trent Gilmore
Public Horticulture Intern 2021
Applications are now Open!
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 20. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the receipt of application materials by FBBG by the deadline. Positions will be open until filled.