High Plains Environmental Center Seasonal Internship Opportunities
Location: 2698 Bluestem Willow Drive, Loveland, CO 80538
Mission Statement: The High Plains Environmental Center works to educate communities to become replicable “living laboratories” which demonstrate restorative examples of land-stewardship, native plants, and wildlife habitat.
To apply, please email info@suburbitat.org with the subject line “Internship Application” and attach your resume.
The following information applies to all internships. Specific days and hours will be determined upon hire.
Age: 16+
Compensation: Unpaid
Application Deadline: April 25
Timeline: May – August (flexible)
Hours: ~20 hours per week (flexible)
Skills: Communication, responsibility, trustworthiness, reliability
Interests: Plants, wildlife, nature, environmental science, climate change, conservation, sustainability
Requirements: Reliable transportation, walk, lift 20 lbs, bend, twist, stand for extended periods of time.
Recommended gear: Closed toed walking shoes or hiking boots, water bottle, outdoor clothing in layers, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen.
Native Plant Nursery Intern
Reports to: Stephen Hornbeck, Nursery Manager
Positions available: 3-4
This is where we need the most help. Our little staff of 2 grows and cares for 200 species of natives and sold thousands of plants in April – September of 2024. They need more hands to prepare customers orders, water plants, and do various nursery tasks so that they can do more involved tasks like experimenting with new species. Stephen is a top notch botanist with an affinity for cracking the code on what it takes to grow rare, often endangered species that have never been cultivated before. In fact, many of the species in our nursery don’t even have Wikipedia pages. Stephen and his team are making history and they love sharing information with anyone who will listen. It is impossible to leave that nursery not feeling inspired!
Lands Crew Intern
Reports to: Jack Van Vleet, Lead Restoration Ecologist
Positions available: 1-2
This is “boots on the ground” restoration ecology work. They work with heavy machinery: mowing, tiling, herbicides, etc. Students will learn about managing invasive plants in disturbed areas and installing natives to create more biodiverse ecosystems. Jack and Baylee lead this team. They are a lively group that have a lot of laughs while out “saving the world,” as they put it. Every day they get to chip away at reversing negative human impact and watch landscapes come back to life. With their fun personalities and can-do attitude every day feels like summer camp.
Demonstration Gardens Landscaping Intern
Reports to: Jim Tolstrup, Executive Director
Positions available: 2-3
This team works under our Executive Director, Jim, to keep our public demonstration gardens looking great and staying functional for our pollinators and wildlife. Tasks including weeding, pruning, mulching, raking, planting, watering, seeding, and more. Jim is a great teacher and has a plethora of knowledge about the native plant world to share. Amongst many other impressive qualifications, he studied at Harvard Arboretum and designed the gardens at President GHW and Barbara Bush’s summer home.