Plant Healthcare Sustainability Summer Intern 2026

Title: Plant Healthcare Sustainability Summer Intern   

Classification: Summer Internship – Non-Exempt  

Department: Gardens & Grounds  

Reports To: Manager of Sustainability  

Compensation: $16.90/hour, plus housing 

Schedule:  Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 3:30pm, with occasional weekends and 

evenings. In person, June through September. 

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 Manager of Sustainability and grounds staff to implement and monitor sustainable management practices across a 37-acre botanical display garden featuring bromeliads, cacti and succulents, cycads, ferns, palms, water gardens, and turf areas.  

Interns will gain both theoretical and hands-on experience in all aspects of Lotusland’s horticultural program, preparing them to design and manage similar programs in urban horticultural settings without relying on toxic or environmentally degrading materials. Training includes ecological soil management using compost, compost tea, and mulch; soil fertility through natural nutrient cycling and organic fertilizers; and plant disease management using beneficial microorganisms. Interns will also work with insectaries that support balanced insect ecology and learn to monitor plant health indicators both in the field and in Lotusland’s lab. In addition to these responsibilities, the intern will be expected to design and complete an independent project exploring an aspect of the garden that interests them. This project will culminate in a short article for the garden newsletter and a presentation to staff.   

Key Responsibilities:  

Equipment Operation  

Power equipment: string trimmer, hedge shears, blowers (gas & battery), compost tea sprayer.  

Maintenance carts (requires valid driver’s license).  

Hand tools: pole saw, hand saw, loppers, pruners, shears.  

Orchard ladders, pullers bear weeders.  

Garden Care  

Proper pruning techniques for various plant types (deciduous fruit trees, citrus, palms, shrubs, cacti, ground covers).  

Soil moisture monitoring and watering practices (wells, reservoirs, booster pumps, main lines).  

Irrigation systems: hand watering, drip, sprinklers (rotary, rotor, spray, impact).  

Awareness of garden hazards: plants, heat, animals.  

Preparing gardens for tours and special events.  

Pond and aquatic garden care.  

Safety protocols are integrated into all training.  

Curation  

Plant mapping and accessioning.  

Inventory and documentation of plant collections.  

Greenhouse & Propagation  

Plant propagation techniques.  

Nursery and greenhouse 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  

Additional Leadership, Skill Development, & Resume Enhancements: 

Gain hands-on experience applying sustainable horticultural practices.  

Build confidence by learning new skills and expanding your knowledge base.  

Strengthening communication and teamwork abilities through collaborative work.  

Learn directly from experienced professionals in a leading botanical institution.  

Demonstrate initiative, reliability, and responsibility in a professional setting.  

Apply classroom concepts in real-world scenarios, bridging academic and professional experiences.  

Contribute meaningfully to the organization and achieve a sense of accomplishment.  

Resume Enhancements  

Acquire valuable experience and achievements to enhance your resume or academic applications.  

Gain a competitive edge in future job or school applications.  

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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INTERNSHIP APPLICATION 

Name:   

Address:   

Phone: E-mail:   

Academic institution where presently enrolled:   

 Major: Minor:   

 Anticipated date of graduation:   

 Other academic coursework if applicable:    

Relevant background, experience, skills, and interests: (or please attach a resume)  

Please attach resume, three letters of reference and a cover letter and return to:  

Chris Ziliotto, Sustainability Program Manager 

Ganna Walska Lotusland, 695 Ashley Road, Santa Barbara, California 93108  

Phone: (805) 324-6868   Email: cziliotto@lotusland.org