Urban Fruit Orchard Stewardship TeamAt — Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

The Fullerton Arboretum has over 1.5 acres where fruit trees are grown, including a stone and pome fruit orchard, avocado and orange grove, and rare fruit grove. Fruit is harvested from the trees on a weekly basis and is made available for sale to arboretum visitors. Surplus fruit is donated to the ASI Food Pantry each week. The wide variety of fruit trees allow visitors to sample different types of fresh fruit that is grown locally and sustainably. The fruit trees are a gateway to the rest of the arboretum and the botanical world in general. Interns will use the fruit orchards as an outdoor laboratory to gain real-world experience. They will steward the Arboretum’s fruit trees and build programming and interpretive content around them. Arboretum Horticulture Staff members will supervise and mentor the student interns.

• Maintain fruit orchards, weeds, irrigation, and surrounding areas
• Harvest fruit for sale and other events
• Collect and record harvest and phenology data
• Plan events that are centered around the fruit trees
• Develop interpretive signage and other content
• Provide in-person interpretation to arboretum visitors
• Organize volunteer work days
• Promote the fruit trees and arboretum on social media and through other avenues
• Create a presentation and/or poster at the end of the semester

Training:

1. Discuss horticultural practices and general ecological principles with the intern.
2. Intern will be given tasks to complete and they will provide weekly progress reports to staff for feedback.
3. Interns will be expected to meet deadlines outlined by staff.
4. Discuss ideas for developing interpretive content and the anticipated audience.

Learning Outcomes:

• Learn horticultural practices and general ecological principles
• Team work, team building, team management and leadership skills
• Project and event planning, coordination and implementation
• Environmental education with emphasis on interpretive signage and informal science education