Summer Internships

Supervisor: Emily Griffoul, Conservation Scientist

Summary: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is uniquely positioned to address conservation of the fragile alpine environment. The Gardens is spearheading the implementation of the North American Botanic Garden Strategy for Alpine Plant Conservation to understand and protect this special habitat. The Conservation Internship supports our work to conserve the high-elevation plants of the Rocky Mountains.

We are looking for a recent college graduate to assist our Conservation Scientist for approximately four months in the summer of 2026 on projects at the Gardens and in the field relating to our conservation priorities. Work will include projects at and in the Gardens and in the field. Duties include data management, community science, public engagement, and time in alpine areas of Colorado collecting and documenting alpine plants, as well as managing collections on-site at the Gardens. Occasionally, the team will travel overnight and/or camp, including in the backcountry. The ideal candidate will be passionate about plants, conservation, and alpine ecosystems; organized, flexible, self-motivated, a team player, and be interested in developing leadership skills. S/he will also have experience identifying plants in the field using a dichotomous key and be comfortable working outside in tough conditions. This position will overlap with other departments, primarily Horticulture and occasionally Education, and the ideal candidate is ready to take on diverse projects throughout the Gardens.

Duties:

• Assist the Conservation Scientist on various projects relating to the Alpine Strategy including research, field forays, and outreach
• Assist the Horticulture team in curating and maintaining the Gardens collections
• Identify alpine plants in the field using dichotomous key
  Collect and prepare voucher specimens for herbarium collections
• Collect and process seeds for seed banking
  Keep detailed, organized records of field and Gardens activities
• Manage data, including entering and checking records from the field
  Supervise volunteers both in the field and at the Gardens
• Participate in garden events, workshops and educational outreach
  Engage with Gardens visitors and members
  Compose newsletter and social media content and blog posts relating to conservation and alpine plants
• Help with projects and duties as staff needs, across all Gardens operations

Requirements:

• Recently graduated from college with a focus on environmental science, ecology, plant science, and/or conservation
• Experience using a dichotomous key to identify plants
• Practical previous experience in an ecological field setting
• Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and a willingness to drive independently to field sites
• Passion for conservation and ecological research
• Works well in a team setting and communicates efficiently and effectively

Physical requirements:

• Ability to hike at elevation in remote areas on steep, difficult terrain, in inclement weather (rain, snow, heat, sun, etc)
• Ability to carry up to 50lbs of equipment
• Ability to spend full days in the field (3+ a week), as well as in an office setting, working in the Gardens, and occasionally overnight camping trips in remote areas

Desired Skills:

• Ability to work independently and solve problems
• Experience using Google Workspace and Microsoft Excel
• Picks up new skills quickly and adapts to new information and situations
• Understanding of mountain ecosystems and their native plants
• Basic understanding of conservation topics and rare plant management techniques
• Excellent attention to detail
• Organized and self-directed
• Backcountry hiking and camping experience

Internship Details:

• $500/ week stipend (pre-tax), plus shared housing provided in Vail along bus line
• Full-time internship starts beginning of June 2026, and ending late September 2026
• Internship promotes studying and understanding alpine plants, mountain ecosystems, and the inner workings of a small nonprofit botanic gardens.

To apply for the Conservation Internship, please email a resume, cover letter, and contact for two references to our Conservation Scientist, Emily Griffoul.

There are two internship positions available in Horticulture for summer 2027: Public Horticulture and one with a Curatorial Focus. Please review the descriptions below.

PUBLIC HORTICULTURE INTERNSHIP – 2027

Job Description

• Position Title: Public Horticulture Intern
• Department: Horticulture
• Reports To: Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections & Amanda Goodwin, Horticultural Manager
• Employee Status: Summer Intern
• Employment Timeline: Mid May – Mid August (flexible start and finish date(s), based on candidate’s schedule).

Organization Mission: To protect the alpine environment through education, conservation and living plant collections.

Internship Mission: Beyond the primary focus of providing a beautiful garden experience for every Guest, this internship will present the intern with many opportunities to broaden their experience within the horticulture, conservational and educational fields and to learn about different careers in Public Horticulture.

Academic/Experiential-Learning Nexus: Horticulture, Public Gardening

Overview: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is an internationally acclaimed botanic garden known for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation. Located in the small resort town of Vail, Colorado which attracts a global audience for its skiing and outdoor recreation, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America situated at 8,200’ (2,700 m) in the central Rocky Mountains. The 4.6 acre cultivated gardens attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually to see its unique collection of alpine and mountain plants collected from around the world.

Position Summary: The intern will immerse themselves in the following areas:

• Ornamental gardening, including planting, mulching, weeding, staking, dead-heading, pruning, watering, pest identification and integrated pest management, plant identification, and developing knowledge of plant, design, and material needs
• General maintenance of gardens and educational center, horticulture buildings, and equipment, including raking, sweeping, cleaning, sharpening, and repairs as needed
• Propagation/Production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed, cuttings, transplanting, watering, additional plant care, and greenhouse management
• Conservation duties, plant pressing, seed collection, in-field plant ID, plant collection, hiking day trips.
• Plant curation, including labeling, record-keeping, mapping, plant photography, and phenology
• Other departmental and/or organizational duties as needed (e.g., special events, etc.)

Qualifications: The successful candidate must be comfortable interacting with Guests, Staff, and Board members. The candidate must have some educational and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance. They must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, and be willing to participate in all horticulture and garden maintenance practices, including cross departmental duties.

Schedule: This is a five-day/week 40hrs +/- on-site internship (days and hours will vary). This position begins in May/June 2026 and continues through August of 2026, with some flexibility on start and finish dates, due to candidate availability (e.g., school schedule, etc.).

Internship Housing and Pay Details: $500/ week stipend, plus shared housing with other interns provided at no cost to intern(s) in Vail via Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail Resorts. Housing is about 1.5 mi away from gardens, 20 min walk to gardens and housing is very accessible to the free Town of Vail Bus System. Applicants may have a car but do not need a car.

Application Deadline: Applications are currently open, apply today. Application closes January 16th.

Send resume, cover letter & (3) references via email to:

• Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections, and
• Amanda Goodwin, Horticulture Manager

Physical demands (in a usual workday): Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position:

• 90% of time bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements
• 10% of time in sitting position
• Maximum load an employee will be required to lift/carry is 50 lbs.

*This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the company reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances dictate (such as emergencies, weather conditions, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, special events, or technological developments).

PUBLIC HORTICULTURE INTERNSHIP w/ CURATORIAL FOCUS – 2027

Job Description

• Position Title: Public Horticulture Intern w/ Curatorial Focus
• Department: Horticulture & Plant Records
• Reports To: Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections & Amanda Goodwin, Horticultural Manager
• Employee Status: Summer Intern

Organization Mission: To protect the alpine environment through education, conservation and living plant collections.

Internship Mission: Beyond the primary focus of providing a beautiful garden experience for every Guest, this internship will present the intern with many opportunities to broaden their experience within the horticulture field and to learn about different careers in Public Horticulture.

Academic/Experiential-Learning Nexus: Horticulture, Public Gardening, Focusing on Plant Records

Overview: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is an internationally acclaimed botanic garden known for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation. Located in the small resort town of Vail, Colorado which attracts a global audience for its skiing and outdoor recreation, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America situated at 8,200’ (2,700 m) in the central Rocky Mountains. The 4.6 acre cultivated gardens attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually to see its unique collection of alpine and mountain plants collected from around the world.

Position Summary: The intern will immerse themselves in the following areas:

• Ornamental gardening, including planting, mulching, weeding, staking, dead-heading, pruning, watering, pest identification and integrated pest management, plant identification, and developing knowledge of plant, design, and material needs
• General maintenance of gardens, horticulture buildings, and equipment, including raking, sweeping, cleaning, sharpening, and repairs as needed
• Propagation/Production, including collection, storage, and sowing of seed, cuttings, transplanting, watering, additional plant care, and greenhouse management
• Plant curation, including labeling, record-keeping, mapping, plant photography, and phenology
• Other departmental and/or organizational duties as needed (e.g., special events, etc.)
• Conservation duties, plant pressing, seed collection, in-field plant ID, plant collection, hiking day trips.
• Curatorial duties including but not limited to, bed inventorying, BG BASE data management, plant ID and photography, record keeping.

Qualifications: The successful candidate must be comfortable interacting with Guests, Staff, and Board members. The candidate must have some educational and/or practical experience in horticulture, botany, and/or landscape design/maintenance. They must be enthusiastic about plants, conscientious of the environment, and be willing to participate in all horticulture practices.

Schedule: This is a five-day/week 40hrs +/- on-site internship. This position begins in May 2026 and continues through August of 2026, with some flexibility on start and finish dates, due to candidate’s availability (e.g., school schedule, etc.).

Internship Housing and Pay Details: $500/ week stipend, plus shared housing with other interns provided at no cost to intern(s) in Vail via Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail Resorts. Housing is about 1.5 mi away from gardens, 20 min walk to gardens and housing is very accessible to the free Town of Vail Bus System. Applicants may have a car but do not need a car.

Application Deadline: Applications are currently open, apply today. Application closes January 16th.

Send resume, cover letter & (3) references via email to:

• Colin V. Lee, Curator of Plant Collections

Physical demands (in a usual workday): Approximate percentages of time tasks are performed in carrying out the essential functions of this position:

• 90% of time bending/stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, hand/fingers used for repetitive motion, hands/fingers used for fine manipulation, hands/fingers used for firm grasping, head/neck in rotational movements, head/neck in extension movements, head/neck in flexing movements
• 10% of time in sitting position
• Maximum load an employee will be required to lift/carry is 50 lbs.

*This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the company reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances dictate (such as emergencies, weather conditions, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, special events, or technological developments).

Summer Informal Education Internship at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Supervisor: Gabrielle Starr, Education Director

Summary: Work at North America’s highest elevation botanic gardens educating youth, families and adults about alpine plants and the mountain environment while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.

This summer internship provides numerous opportunities for college age students to gain knowledge, skills and practical experience working at the highest elevation botanic gardens in North America. Throughout the season, the intern will be supported in gaining valuable experience in environmental education, enhancing their communication skills, contributing to the botanic garden’s mission, and developing a clearer understanding of their career goals.

Applicant Requirements:

• Current enrollment or degree in Education, Environmental Sciences, Botany,
  Sustainability Studies, or related field
• Completion of at least one Education course
• Experience or interest in conducting programs with families, children and adults
• A “people person” with an ability to interact with visitors of all ages
• Creative, positive and organized

Internship Details:

• Full time, approximately 40 hours per week, may require one weekend day
• $500/ week stipend (pre-tax), plus shared housing provided in Vail
• Flexible start date: May 20-26
• Flexible end date: August 24-September 1
  Goals and Outcomes:

Develop Educational Programs:

• Goals:
  • Create and implement interactive and engaging environmental education programs for visitors of various ages.
  • Design activities and materials that align with the garden’s educational objectives.
  • Assist in organizing and implementing community outreach events and educational programs.
• Outcomes:
  
  • Intern designs and implements at least two new educational programs or activities.
  • Intern assists in planning and executing at least two community events or outreach programs.
  • Positive feedback from participants and staff on the intern’s programs.

Enhance Communication Skills:

• Goals:
  
  • Improve public speaking and presentation skills through leading programming, discovery cart/educational table and educational workshops.
  • Foster the ability to convey complex environmental concepts in an accessible manner.
  • Gain an understanding of various methods of marketing including social media.
• Outcomes:
  
  • Staff weekly education table/discovery cart.
  • Deliver a minimum of four guided tours or educational presentations.
  • Demonstrate improvement in public speaking and ability to engage an audience.
  • Complete weekly social media posts for the gardens.

Collaborate with Staff and Gain Practical Experience:

• Goals:
  
  • Work closely with educators, horticulturists, and other staff to support educational initiatives.
  • Participate in daily operations of the botanic garden, including plant care, conservation efforts, and maintenance tasks.
  • Understand the role of botanic gardens in environmental conservation and education.
  • Gain insight into potential career paths in environmental education and botany and build a network of professional contacts in the field.
• Outcomes:
  
  • Intern participates in plant care, maintenance, and conservation activities.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and practical skills in horticulture and environmental stewardship.
  • Establishment of professional connections and mentors in the field.

Research and Documentation:

• Goals:
  
  • Conduct research on specific plants and environmental topics relevant to the Garden and the current exhibit theme.
  • Contribute to the garden’s educational resources.
  • Outcomes
    Ability to identify a minimum of 30 plants in the garden by mid summer.
  • Contribution of research to the garden’s educational resources or programs.

To Apply: Email a resume, cover letter, and contact for two references to our Education Director, Gabrielle Starr.

You will be asked to develop and implement new educational and interpretive programming for all ages and to assist education center and horticultural staff with all visitor and education related projects.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.