BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The Bloedel Reserve is looking for interested high school and college students to participate in its summer internship program.
“We want to open students’ eyes to the natural world and to a professional job opportunity that they might not otherwise know exists,” said Ed Moydell, executive director of The Bloedel Reserve.
Moydell added that he benefited from a similar internship when he was a student, and it led him to where he is today.
With the 150-acre reserve acting as a living classroom, interns will learn the ins and outs of horticulture, while helping maintain The Reserve’s various gardens. Working alongside
The Reserve’s professional horticultural staff, students will learn about botany, plant propagation and composting.
The college internship is open to students from all colleges and universities. Ideal candidates will be junior or senior level students majoring in horticulture, landscape architecture or a related field. The position is 40 hours a week for 12 weeks at the rate of $11 per hour. Along with general horticultural duties, college interns will help with the important task of mapping and cataloging plants in the Japanese Garden.
The high school internship is open to all Kitsap County high school students. Students will work 40 hours a week for eight weeks at the rate of $10 per hour. Like the college interns, high school interns will shadow professionals through different rotations.
The summer program culminates with a lasting legacy project designed and created by the interns.
“It’s our hope that interns will come back and show their friends and family — perhaps even their own children one day — what they created,” Moydell said.
The Bloedel Reserve is a public garden located on Bainbridge Island. The Reserve is a unique blend of natural woodlands and beautifully landscaped gardens, including a Japanese Garden, a Moss Garden and the Bloedel’s former estate.
Along with receiving ample horticultural education, interns will learn fundamental skills and work ethic needed for any career. The internship program is sponsored by Columbia Bank and Juniper Foundation.
Interested students should send a cover letter and fill out an application. Information is available at www.bloedelreserve.org. The deadline for applications is May 6.
