Opportunities for internships may be competitive and may not be available each quarter

Preference is given to UCSC students, but there have also been some internships by local community college and out of state students. There are no fees to pay to the Arboretum, but students provide their own housing, etc.

Environmental Studies internships usually are 5 units and usually are for upper division credit ES 183 or ES 181. They may be in general horticulture and/or horticultural research. Other options include horticulture with a focus on native plants, or horticulture with a focus on habitat restoration. Inquire in the environmental studies internship office about their forms and requirements and then talk to Arboretum staff. Also see courses at http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/html/programs_courses/04_06Catalog/04_06envsCourses.htm

Rare and endangered plants internships for upper division students in biology or environmental studies. These may include biological or ecological studies, GIS mapping, evaluation of threats, how to propagate, or other research on rare species.

Botanical research, especially systematics of succulent plants of California (biology department, EEB) 5 units, upper division only.

Plant sciences internships for 5 units - a wide range of possible internships are available for upper division students.

Environmental education internships. These are generally in the spring through the Environmental Interpretation class. Duties include leading tours for school children or conducting school visits. Basic botany background required e.g. bio 20 C or Plants and Human Affairs or the Cabrillo botany course or equivalent education.

Internships as part of a placement from habitat restoration classes in the fall. Talk to the professor about placements.

Science illustration internships. Portfolio and letters of recommendation required.

Science writing internships. Portfolio and letters of recommendation required.

Two previous interns have just started PhD. programs in ecology.

Science Education and Biology

Science education course at the Arboretum. Winter Quarter, taught by Jerome Show. For teaching credential program students. There is usually an opportunity to design a unit for teachers to use during a tour visit to the Arboretum.

Various classes may take tours or have labs at the Arboretum, including bio 20C, plant ecology, ecological physiology, illustration, painting, horticulture, systematics, and others.

Visiting Scholar Program

The Arboretum may consider applicants with a strong background in plant systematics, conservation biology or horticultural expertise in certain plant groups of interest to the Arboretum (Proteaceae, Amborella, Dudleya, Myrtaceae, basal angiosperms, or plants of mediterranean climate zones of California, South Africa, Australia, or Chile). A Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree or specific expertise or a combination of academic training and practical experience may be required. Visiting scholars will work with plant groups currently in the Arboretum or that would make valuable additions to the Arboretum collections.