Plant Health Care Sustainability Summer Intern

Title: Plant Healthcare Sustainability Summer Intern  
Classification: Summer Internship – Non-Exempt 
Department: Grounds & Facilities 
Reports To: Manager of Sustainability 
Compensation: $16.00 and on-site housing

About Lotusland:  

Ganna Walska Lotusland is a 37-acre non-profit botanical garden and historic estate located in Montecito featuring a collection of over 3,700 plant species from around the world as well as historically significant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Since opening to the public in 1993, Ganna Walska Lotusland has grown to become one of the world’s premier botanical gardens and a center for sustainable garden practices, horticultural education, and plant conservation.   

Mission Statement:  
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the distinctive botanical gardens of Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland educates and inspires visitors with its collections, sustainable horticulture practices and plant conservation. 

Position Summary:   
Successful applicants will work with Lotusland’s Plant Health Care Coordinator and grounds staff implementing and monitoring sustainable management practices for a 37-acre botanical display garden emphasizing bromeliads, cacti and succulents, cycads, ferns, palms, water gardens as well as turf areas. 

The intern will experience all aspects of Lotusland’s horticultural program. They will gain theoretical as well as hands on experience that will equip them for designing and managing a similar program in any urban horticultural setting without using toxic or environmentally degrading materials. Interns will become familiar with ecological soil management practices using compost, compost tea, and mulch, and soil fertility management using natural nutrient cycling by soil food web organisms and applying organic fertilizers. They will also help manage plant diseases by using beneficial microorganisms and experience the insectaries responsible for the garden's balanced insect ecology. Finally, they will become familiar with plant health indicators and how to monitor them both in the field and in Lotusland’s lab. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Plant Installation and Maintenance 
• Plant Identification 
• Greenhouse Management 
• Landscape and Turf Management 
• Orchard Program 
• Pruning Techniques 
• Plant Propagation 
• Applied Entomology 
• Ponds Maintenance 

Plant Healthcare: 

• Soil Science 
  Biological examination 
  Nutritional analysis 
  Physical tests of soil properties 

• Rodent Abatement 
  Vertebrae trapping 

• Applied Entomology 
  Insectary program 
  Review various common insect challenges 
  Renovating perimeter insectary areas 

• Organic Matter Programs 
  Mulching program observations 
  Composting system and compost application 

• Organic Fertilizers 
  Application methods 
  Discuss and record observations in the field 
  Review various types and reasons for choice selection 

• Applied micro-organisms 
  Mycorrhizae 
          Types, benefits, application methods 
  Bacteria 
          Types, benefits, application methods 

• Compost tea 
  Compost tea production method 
  Compost tea assay analysis 
  ​​​​​​​Compost tea application methods 

Knowledge and Abilities:  

• Applicant must be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, an accredited, college-level horticultural program or internship. Intern must have his or her own transportation. Housing provided. 

Work Environment:   

• Lotusland’s administrative offices are on a historic 2-story estate in a 37-acre garden.   
• 90% of the day will be spent outside on the grounds. 
• Frequent walking, kneeling, bending, lifting (50 lbs.). 
• Will need to drive a cart. 
• Breaks and lunch are taking altogether with the team. 

The responsibilities and deliverables listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the individual in the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and/or skills. Other tasks will be assigned as needed.   

 Benefits  

• Sick leave.   

 Additional Information  

• Employment background/criminal check is required. 

Lotusland Core Values:  

Accountability: We take ownership of the commitments we make, holding ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions, both to ourselves and those we lead.  

Teamwork and Collaboration: Our roles are interdependent, requiring intentional collaboration within teams to consistently achieve our mission.  

Communication: Effective communication is crucial for building trust among our staff, board, and the larger community. We strive to share information clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner to foster understanding and commitment across our organization.  

Trust: We aim to cultivate mutual respect and open communication throughout the organization. Employees are encouraged to openly share their perspectives and feel secure in taking risks to enhance our effectiveness.  

Integrity: Aligned with our guiding principles of honesty, fairness, and decency, we promote a strong ethic of integrity among individuals and leaders.  

Lotusland is an equal opportunity employer. We acknowledge that equal employment opportunity for all persons is a fundamental human value. Each employee will be considered based on individual ability and merit, without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or marital status.  

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