Learning by Doing at the Environmental Nature Center
At the Environmental Nature Center (ENC), our horticulture internship program is designed to do more than teach plant care — it immerses emerging professionals in the living systems that shape healthy landscapes, resilient ecosystems, and me
aningful community spaces.
Recent Horticulture Intern Victoria Stover exemplifies what this program is all about.
During her time at ENC, Victoria worked closely with our horticulture team, gaining hands-on experience across a wide range of responsibilities, from plant maintenance and identification to propagation, irrigation, trail upkeep, and habitat restoration. Each day offered a front-row seat to the complex, interconnected work required to steward California’s native plant communities — both in cultivated gardens and natural landscapes.
“The intern experience at ENC provided a full systems approach to learning native plant care,” Victoria shared. “From seed collection and propagation to planting and landscape maintenance, I gained a deep understanding of how native plants thrive across urban and natural environments.”
This systems-based learning is a cornerstone of ENC’s horticulture program. Interns don’t just complete tasks — they learn why those tasks matter. Our team takes time to explain the ecological reasoning behind daily decisions, helping interns connect individual actions to broader outcomes like soil health, stormwater management, and habitat resilience.
Victoria’s internship also culminated in an independent project proposal addressing a real-world challenge at ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary: flooding at the sanctuary entrance during rain events. Drawing on her experience in landscape design, soil regeneration, and stormwater management, Victoria developed a thoughtful mitigation plan that reflects both technical skill and environmental sensitivity.
While the project is not being implemented immediately due to funding constraints, her work will inform future planning and potential funding efforts — a meaningful example of how intern contributions can extend well beyond the internship itself.
Reflecting on the experience, Victoria highlighted the inclusive and supportive team culture as a defining element of her time at ENC. “The horticulture team created an environment where interns felt welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, and supported as learners.”
Victoria is now continuing her journey with ENC as a volunteer, further deepening her connection to the landscapes she helped care for. As she works toward a future in landscape architecture, she carries forward not only practical skills, but a shared commitment to ecological stewardship.
At ENC, we are proud to support emerging leaders like Victoria — individuals who remind us that investing in education, mentorship, and hands-on learning helps cultivate a healthier future for both people and the natural world. Learn more about internships HERE.