College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Horticulture

Conservatory, Greenhouse, and Nursery Operations

Employment type: Full-Time
Application Due Date: May 1, 2026

HIDDEN LAKE GARDENS

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

 

INTERNSHIP POSITION: Conservatory, Greenhouse, and Nursery Operations

 

OBJECTIVE

To expose the student to the many facets of professional gardening, conservatory and greenhouse management, and public horticulture. To provide the student with physical, hands-on experiences in horticulture, landscape, and natural areas.

 

DESCRIPTION

Hidden Lake Gardens is a 755 acre public botanical garden and arboretum in the Irish Hills region of southeast Michigan, consisting of gardens, conservatory, plant collections, and natural areas. Conservatory includes Tropical Biome, Arid Biome, and Temperate House, plus production greenhouse, polyhouse, and nursery. Specific gardens include Demonstration Garden, Elardo Shade Garden, Visitor Center gardens, and entry gardens. Plant collections include dwarf and rare conifers, hosta, and bonsai.

 

Hidden Lake Gardens is open 362 days of the year, attracts over 80,000 visitors, and is supported by 2,300 members and 100 volunteers. The botanical garden and arboretum are available to the public for educational, recreational, social, and cultural events.

 

WORK SCHEDULE

Interns work up to 30 hours per week. Approximately 15 weeks from May through August for summer; other monthly timeframes available to accommodate student’s schedules or requirements. Some weekend and evening work will be required. General daily work schedule is 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

COMPENSATION

To be determined.

We do accept unpaid interns seeking academic credits in lieu of hourly wages.

 

DUTIES

Assist staff in the maintenance of the conservatory, greenhouses, and nursery including planting (containers and ground beds), mulching, watering, pruning, propagating, weeding, deadheading, fertilizing, and pest control. Also, work with staff in maintaining and cleaning water features, pathways, structures, and other hardscape elements in and around the conservatory complex. May also be opportunities for assisting staff in plant records, labeling, and mapping.

 

PREREQUISITES

Must be a college, university, or vocational student in good standing, master gardener trainee, or pursuing a certification in horticulture, botany, environmental science, or similar program; must be willing to work outdoors in various weather conditions; must be willing to perform physical tasks such as lifting landscape materials, pushing wheelbarrows, using gardening tools, climbing ladders, and operating power equipment. Must be able to work independently and within a team. Must have an energetic and enthusiastic attitude. Must be prompt, communicative, reliable, and dependable.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Internship applications accepted on a rolling basis.

 

TO APPLY

Submit current resume plus name and contact information for three references including address and phone to:

Internship Program

Hidden Lake Gardens - Michigan State University 6214 Monroe Road Tipton, MI 49287 517-431-2060

hlg@msu.edu