2026 Public Horticulture Internships

Job Description

The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens (FBBG) is excited to announce our 2026 Summer
Internship program. The interns will work under the supervision of horticulture and Gardens Support 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 will involve a broad range of practical experiences related to the maintenance and
operation of a public garden.

INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS—Public Horticulture Concentration
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.

Supplementing their work experience, interns will have the opportunity to attend relevant
local meetings, events, lectures, field trips, assist with summer camps, and work with each department
within the organization.

Each day interns will work with the Gardens Support horticulture team to allow
for focused workdays within the Japanese Garden, Kaul Wildflower Garden, and Specialty Gardens.

About Us

ABOUT FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
A mission-driven membership organization, the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens. We are dedicated to serving the Gardens;
serving the community; serving our visitors; and inspiring a passion for plants, gardens, and the
environment. The Friends’ work centers around Communications & Marketing, Education & Community
Engagement, Gardens Support, and Fundraising.

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
A facility of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the result of
a public/private partnership between the City of Birmingham and the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham
Botanical Gardens. The Gardens encompasses 67.5 acres featuring more than two dozen garden spaces
that reflect the region’s rich and varied terrain and showcase many plants that thrive in Southern gardens.
Annual visitation exceeds 300,000 visitors.

Duties & Responsibilities

Work in the Japanese Garden will include learning techniques and practices of maintaining the garden in
styles consistent with traditional Japanese landscapes. This will not only include routine garden tasks but
also learning about the history and culture of Japanese gardens.

Work in the Kaul Wildflower Garden will include the study and conservation of plants native to the
Southeastern United States, with an emphasis on Alabama natives. Work will include tasks related to
routine garden maintenance, seed collection and sowing, and propagation.

Work in the Specialty Gardens will include learning about ornamental plants and garden design within
container and small-space gardens. Most of these spaces revolve around the care of vegetables, annuals,
perennials, and ornamental trees and shrubs. Specialty Gardens include Southern Living Garden, Bruno
Vegetable Garden, Thompson Enthusiast’s Garden, Little Ones’ Memory Garden, etc.

Education and Experience

This 12-week opportunity is open to two rising juniors or seniors attending a four-year college or
university full-time, or recent graduates of a two or four-year college seeking experience in horticulture or
related fields. Preference will be given to students majoring in horticulture, landscape design, landscape
architecture, biology, botany, ecology, plant science, environmental science, or a closely related
discipline.

We are seeking motivated individuals interested in the learning, engagement, and horticulture side of
public gardens. The ideal candidate enjoys working with people of varying ages, abilities, and interests as
well as learning and teaching about plants, horticulture, and the environment.

Additional Information

Starting and ending dates for the internships are flexible, based on availability; the program will last 12
consecutive weeks at 40 hours per week. Workdays will normally be Monday through Friday. Hours are
dependent on operational needs. Interns will be compensated at a rate of $17 per hour.

Application Instructions

The internships are competitive, and candidates are encouraged to be professional, thorough, and concise
with their application materials. Candidates must provide the following:
● Resume (not to exceed two pages)
● Statement of approximately 200 words outlining professional objectives regarding the internship
(including preferred area of concentration)
● A reference from an academic advisor knowledgeable of your scholastic standing toward
graduation
● Proof of a valid driver’s license
Materials may be submitted electronically in a single pdf to: careers@bbgardens.org
Application deadline: 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.