Turtle Island Restoration Network’s SPAWN program is seeking to fill a native plant nursery internship to focus on managing native plant nursery functions and operations starting August 2018. Our 6-month residential internship provides housing in West Marin.

This position is unpaid, ideal for those looking to gain hands-on experience in native plant propagation and nursery management, and horticultural restoration. Your work (40 hours a week) is compensated through housing down the road from our office and hands-on experience with habitat restoration.

This is a physically demanding job that requires daily tasks lifting up to 50lbs. continuously and working with extreme outdoor conditions (ex. sun, rain, poison oak, ticks).

Under supervision from the SPAWN Native Plant Nursery Manager, the Native Plant Nursery Intern will be responsible for management of day-t0-day nursery operations. The intern will also assist with seed collection, seed cleaning/processing, plant propagation, transplanting, data collection and entry, upkeep of nursery facilities, and design and outplanting of riparian restoration projects. The intern will also lead volunteers in carrying out these projects and will help with leading weekly volunteer workdays in the nursery, and assist with volunteer recruitment and outreach. Additionally, the nursery intern will support education programs related to plant propagation and restoration.

The Native Plant Nursery Internship will help you gain skills with native and invasive plant identification, native plant propagation, and project management. The native plant nursery internship will also include training in restoration techniques and field methods.

Responsibilities include:

  • Nursery management, operations, and upkeep: seed cleaning/processing, seed germination, plant propagation, transplanting, irrigation, updating inventory stock, managing plant database, data collection and entry, nursery facilities upkeep.
  • Volunteer recruitment and coordination: provide outreach to interested volunteers and provide training to volunteers related to nursery operations listed above.
  • Riparian habitat restoration: native planting, invasive species removal, watering, weeding, maintenance.
  • Data entry and database management: collect data on plant growth and survival at restoration sites, enter data into database, assist SPAWN staff to generate reports related to riparian restoration successes.

Qualifications and Skills Desired:

  • Experience in native (and exotic) plant identification and biology
  • Experience in nursery operations and horticultural practices
  • Interest in watershed ecology, fisheries biology, botany, and ecological restoration
  • Experience in vegetation monitoring
  • Experience in volunteer management
  • Experience in Microsoft Excel
  • Ability to work outside in varying terrain and weather
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and organize oneself
  • Ability to use PC or Mac proficiently (Windows Office)
  • Driver’s license (own vehicle a plus)
  • Ability to project a positive image with community
  • Creative thinker and interest in helping to improve and develop new methods and ideas for restoration programs

To apply send a resume and cover letter to Audrey Fusco at audrey@tirn.net