2025 INTERNSHIPS

Lake Michigan College Earn & Learn students must apply through Handshake.

HORTICULTURE & LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

This internship is an excellent opportunity for students who want to gain practical work experience and exposure to public horticulture and natural areas management. The program aims to provide students with valuable career experience in various aspects of public gardening while building a strong skillset for future employment in horticulture or natural areas management. The internship offers diverse opportunities to work in botanical settings such as a 40-acre arboretum, a tallgrass prairie, a fern conservatory, a preserve, and native/ornamental garden areas.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

This internship provides a unique opportunity to connect visitors of all ages to the environment through hands-on educational programs and interpretation. Interns will assist with the planning, preparing, and executing public tours, adult classes, school field trips, scout badge workshops, special events, and summer day camps. They will gain a deeper understanding of local ecology, Fernwood history, and how to effectively engage with visitors in a public garden/nature preserve setting.

VISITOR SERVICES & ADMINISTRATION

This internship is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to develop valuable skills in a fun and supportive nonprofit organization! With a strong emphasis on customer service and administrative tasks, this position will gain important knowledge that can open doors to many exciting career paths. Tasks include helping with everything from processing Fernwood memberships and managing volunteers to organizing the office and assisting with special programs. If you enjoy working with people and want to learn in a friendly environment, we'd love to have you on board!

MARKETING

Students will have the opportunity to dive into Fernwood's marketing efforts and make a real impact! The intern will help maintain the garden's brand while learning how we create and share our print and digital media for our internal and external audiences. This position will also be part of planning and executing fun and creative promotional initiatives that connect our wonderful donors, members, and the community with everything Fernwood has to offer.