Urban Forestry Internship
Description
The Urban Forestry Intern will engage in urban forestry and natural resource management practices, assessments, programs and planning for public gardens, government agencies, educational and community organizations. The intern will also learn and teach stewardship concepts and practical applications through natural land restoration and urban tree management projects, as well as developing community partnership, vegetation analysis and management planning skills. This position is supported by the Martha S. Miller Endowment.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Participate in fieldwork activities including tree identification, tree inventory, and the visual assessment of trees
- Use diagnostic equipment including the resistograph, soil moisture sensors and sampling techniques
- Assist with project report writing, library research, diagnostic techniques, and learn about tree and other natural resource management
- Cultivate community relations when performing outreach projects and by answering visitor questions about plants, culture and management
- Assist with watershed-based natural area management at the Arboretum and in the community
- Utilize current restoration techniques as well as refining land management skills for Natural Areas maintenance
- Learn to ID plants in the Natural Land Management Section and perform plant record keeping functions
- Perform basic gardening skills including invasive plant ID and removal, weed ID and removal, pruning shrubs and trees, insect pest and disease ID, and operation of garden machinery
- Assist with the supervision of seasonal staff and provide support for volunteer gardeners
- Complete an independent study project under the direction of your supervisor
- Work at two weekend Arboretum events - Fall Festival and Plant Sale
- Work one afternoon in the Arboretum's Plant Clinic per week
- Participate in intern core curriculum sessions as scheduled
- Learn to follow proper safety practices
- Perform additional duties as requested
Qualifications/Requirements
- Academic background in urban forestry, ecology, horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design, or a related field
- Landscape design, ecology, or woody plant experience is desirable
- Experience in publication production or report writing is useful
- Written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is a range of computer experience. Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is preferred; as well as working knowledge of AutoCAD and ArcView
- Self-motivation and the ability to work independently are expected
- A car is required and mileage will be reimbursed
- Participation in some overnight travel to service the needs of Arboretum clients is expected
Work Environment
The Urban Forestry Intern spends half-time working with the Outreach Arborist and Assistant Outreach Arborist. The intern has his or her own workstation in a shared office. The intern works both indoors and outdoors while under their supervision. The Urban Forestry Intern spends the other half of his or her time assisting the Natural Areas Manager with land management in a variety of settings.
Past Project Topics
- An Ecological Restoration of the Wissahickon Woodland Vegetation for Interim Management of Vacant Lands
- Promoting Best Management Practice Demonstrations in the Paper Mill Run Floodplain at the Morris Arboretum
- Reporting on the Northeast Pennsylvania Urban Forestry Program: 1998-2003
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