Expanding Horizons: The Landscape Scholars Internship Program

September 16, 2024
Landscape Arboretum Interns in greenhouse
Interns in the greenhouse at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 

Each summer, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum welcomes a cohort of five plant science undergraduate students to the Chaska, Minnesota campus to participate in the Landscape Scholars Internship Program. The program – designed to give students hands-on horticultural skills, exposure to a variety of plant science disciplines, and networking opportunities – provides a fundamental experience in the career discovery process for those participating.

Throughout the 13-week internship program this summer, students worked on a variety of projects, including establishing preservation policies, mapping collections and creating herbarium vouchers for University of Minnesota introductions. Their favorite parts of the summer-long program? The people. According to plant science senior Blake Lassahn, “We have a great team of horticulturists at the Arb and everyone is so friendly. There’s no question too big or small, the staff are genuinely excited to share their knowledge and teach”. Blake spent the summer working on Bromeliad accessions with the goal of identifying, photographing, and noting the condition of Bromeliads in the collection to update Arboretum records. 

Students also gained hands-on experience and developed practical skills for careers in horticulture. Throughout the summer, plant science senior Nicole Lesieur learned how to develop a preservation policy for the Arboretum’s pine collection. These policies are used to help promote health and growth and preserve the diversity of the collection by providing information on topics like controlling plants' environment, directing plant growth, controlling biological competition, plant propagation, and plant improvement. “My favorite part of this internship has been meeting people working in the field and getting exposure to all the different jobs there are within the horticulture industry. I’ve gained so many practical skills that I think will really set me up for success when I graduate” said Nicole. 

Plant science senior Peyton Dickhausen reflects on the experience, “Before this internship, I thought the only career path for a plant science major was working in a greenhouse. I didn’t know half of the jobs I’ve been exposed to this summer even existed”. Peyton worked throughout the summer on devising a preservation policy to establish preservation priorities and horticultural standards for the Arboretum’s Cypripedium collection, commonly known as the Lady Slipper. 

The students' internship experiences extended well beyond traditional fieldwork. Lauren Cogley, a plant science junior, acquired skills in ArcGIS, mapping approximately 600 previously unrecorded azalea plants. This mapping is crucial for the ongoing management and preservation of the Arboretum's plant collections. Meanwhile, Beth Curoe, a plant science senior, gained hands-on experience in creating herbarium vouchers for University of Minnesota introductions. She learned the techniques of taking plant cuttings, pressing them, freezing dried samples and mounting them, contributing to the cataloging and studying of plant specimens.

 The Landscape Scholars Internship Program at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum continues to offer students a well-rounded variety of experiences each year. By participating in diverse projects and acquiring practical skills, students gain a comprehensive understanding of various career paths in horticulture, which not only enhances technical abilities, but also provides a collaborative and supportive environment that fosters professional growth.

 Programs like this one are made possible by generous donors to the Undergraduate Scholarship in Horticulture. Your tax-deductible gift, no matter the amount, can make a tremendous impact on a student’s life. Please consider making your donation monthly!