Urban Flower Field Stewardship TeamAt — Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

The Fullerton Arboretum’s flower field is a 1/8-acre seasonal display space that allows visitors the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of flowers, watch the field grow and change through the seasons, and learn about botanical and horticultural topics. The flower field encourages guests to revisit the arboretum to witness changes in the field and offers the Arboretum a fundraising opportunity. Interns will use the field as an outdoor laboratory to gain real-world experience. They will steward the Arboretum’s flower field and build programming and interpretive content around the field. Arboretum Horticulture Staff members will supervise and mentor the student interns.

Tasks:

• Maintain flower field plants, weeds, irrigation, fencing and surrounding area
• Harvest flowers for sale and other events
• Plan events that are centered around the flower field
• Develop a planting plan for subsequent plantings
• Develop interpretive signage and other content
• Provide in-person interpretation to arboretum visitors
• Organize volunteer work days
• Promote the flower field 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.
2. Intern will be given tasks to complete and will provide weekly progress reports to staff for feedback.
3. Intern will be expected to meet deadlines outlined by staff.
4. Ideas for developing interpretive content and anticipated audience will be discussed with intern.

Learning Outcome:

• 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 in-person informal education
• Integrated pest management principles