Native Plant Nursery Intern
Ontario Flora is a social enterprise that offers a native plant nursery, landscape design, ecosystem restoration and community greening services.
We are based in the heart of the Beaver Valley, a Niagara Escarpment Biosphere preserve. Close by our nursery is a Bruce Trail mecca, with mountainous views all the way to Georgian Bay. We are north of Mississauga approximately 1.5 hrs. We bring people and nature together, we support and create greening initiatives with wild plants.
After the busiest spring and summer season yet, we are looking for a fall intern. This is a challenging ‘right hand man’ position. It is suited to someone who is interested in learning the skills of general assistant to operations for Ontario Flora. Duties will include helping with a wide variety of tasks to support the business, the main being nursery related horticultural functions and tasks, but also assisting in the day-to-day running and operations of landscape design related work we do. Assisting in some office work is also needed.
We are looking for someone who likes to dive in and try new things, and can learn independently. The candidate should have a special interest in native plants, and horticulture, but we will except keen beginners coming from many different backgrounds and skill sets.
*We will consider local candidates that do no need room and board, commensuration as negotiated.
Start Date: As soon as possible
End Date: November 29th. There is the possibility of returning for spring internship work for a successful candidate, starting Mar 1st
Stipend: $500.00 per month stipend plus room and board at Ontario Flora’s home base. At contract end the candidate will receive a bonus of gift certificates for native plants (great for christmas gifts!).
Hours and schedule worked: 8 hours per day including lunch and breaks, 5 days per week, 2 weekends of work in Toronto on project required (twice during contract)
Lifestyle details:
-With most duties similar to a live-in roommate situation, the intern will help cook meals, help with house upkeep, and will be living in a residential house setting
-The intern has private accommodation in their own bedroom
-Outings off the farm will be offered on some days not being worked to go on interesting hikes, relaxing by the Beaver River etc.
Job description:
-Splitting mature plants, potting up seedlings, weeding pots, making soil mixture, fertilizing with organic imputs
-Stem cuttings, shrub and tree propagation, seedling propagation
-Watering and use of generator to water seedlings as needed
-Working on doors and windows for the greenhouse, or setting up other features within the greenhouse or outside
-Cleaning areas being used for work
-Seed collection
-Odd carpentry jobs including creating plans and carrying out installation of sheds, lavatory, outdoor shower projects, general maintenance activities needed
-Assisting in carrying out plans for new garden areas or for seed production and restoration site
-Carrying over 50 pounds is necessary at some points
-Helping to pack up trailers of plants, and making sure orders are correct for delivery
-Some help with gardening, and landscaping of residential or other lands off the farm will be needed to Toronto most frequently, so travelling some distances in car will be needed
-Assisting in coordinating future projects, which may include reaching out to potential or past clients, some research on grants, helping with grant application projects
-Assisting in coordinating volunteers, crowd funding and social enterprise projects where needed
-Assisting in administration such as helping with marketing, light office work
-We are looking for an intern that is interested in work that can be quite physical, that needs to be
-Accountability and responsibility for completing tasks independently is required.
Bookmark Job
You must sign in to bookmark this listing.