CMBG Mission: The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants and nature through horticulture, education and research.

Internship Mission: This internship prepares college students to enter the field of environmental or museum education by providing hands-on experience with classes, demonstrations, interpretation, and informal education in a public garden setting. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is regarded as among the foremost public gardens in the country. This internship allows students to learn how the Education Department leverages the incredible landscape and resources of the gardens for a wide variety of learning modes and settings to serve our diverse customer and visitor base.

Academic/Experiential-Learning Nexus:
Public programming in relation to horticulture, botany, and natural history

Position Summary:
The Education Programs Internship provides hands-on experience managing and implementing a wide variety of adult education programming at the Gardens, including supporting Adult Education classes, assisting with our Therapeutic Horticulture program, and supporting written and live interpretive exhibits in the Gardens. Under the supervision and mentorship of the Interpretation and Exhibits Coordinator, the Education Programs Intern will have the opportunity to:

• Learn the art and science of live interpretation while supporting the development of a new exhibit for 2018 – our Native Butterfly House
• Interact with students and visitors by providing informal educational experiences in both structured and unstructured settings
• Support CMBG’s Therapeutic Horticulture program by providing direct assistance with specialized programming for the elderly, visually impaired, and developmentally disabled
• Support our Adult Education programming, including our Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture, by assisting with course registration and student management; corresponding with students and instructors; and supporting the evaluation of our programs
• Gain experience in all aspects of coordinating a busy Education Center
• Learn best practices in customer service.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must be comfortable and enjoy interacting with the public. They should have solid organizational skills, an interest in plants, nature, and the outdoors, and a desire to learn more about the role of education in a public garden and museum setting. Some coursework/experience in the field of education or the natural sciences is also required. Experience using databases and spreadsheets is preferred.

Summer Schedule:
40 hours/week, including Saturdays from approximately mid-May to late August. Flexible start and end date. There is an hourly wage for this internship.

All candidates must have their own reliable transportation.

By February 28, 2018, e-mail resume and cover letter to: Vanessa Nesvig, Interpretation and Exhibits Coordinator. Email: vnesvig@mainegardens.org