Internship experience at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Abstract

During the summer of 2001, I completed a three-month internship at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University located in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. I learned a great deal about the history, maintenance operations, management, and organization of the institution. My primary assignment while working at the Arnold Arboretum was to work in the grounds maintenance department. Along with fellow interns and staff members, l worked to complete three major projects in my home department including the maintenance overhaul of the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Collection of Rosaceous Plants, the lilac collection improvement project, and the viburnum collection renovation. In addition to my primary assignment, l also completed three rotations. l spent two weeks in the Dana Greenhouse and Nursery, one week with the arborists, and one week with the IPM manager. As part of the internship program, 1 also attended classes twice per week on the subjects of woody plant materials, cultural management, and plant propagation. Interns also had the opportunity to travel on several field trips to other horticultural places of interest in the Boston area.