The Florida Native Plant Society is thrilled to announce our fall 2026 internship: the Florida Scrub Mint Internship, offered in partnership with the Florida Wildflower Foundation. This paid, part-time position runs from August 10 through December 10, 2026, and puts an emerging conservation professional at the center of efforts to protect some of Florida’s rarest plants — the scrub mints of the genus Dicerandra.

A Partnership with a Rich History

This internship continues a growing tradition of collaboration between FNPS and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Our two organizations share deeply overlapping missions - the conservation, preservation, and restoration of Florida’s native plants and the habitats that sustain them - and the internship program was created together to open pathways to employment in the conservation and nonprofit sectors.

This year’s internship is made possible by a generous donation from the Florida Wildflower Foundation in honor of Carolyn Schaag, Nancy Bissett, and Anne MacKay - three women whose vision and dedication have shaped native plant conservation in Florida. Proceeds from the 2025 FNPS Photo Contest also help support the internship program.

To see the program’s impact firsthand, read past intern Kristin Luckock’s reflection on her FWF–FNPS internship in the latest issue of Palmetto (Volume 42:2), where she shares her work restoring and monitoring the last wild habitat of blushing scrub balm (Dicerandra modesta): read the current Palmetto, available to members in our digital library.



Summary About the Position

The Florida Scrub Mint Intern reports to the Director of Communications and will gain hands-on experience across field research, conservation, and outreach, including:

• Surveying privately- and publicly-owned lands for Dicerandra (scrub mint) species
• Handling Dicerandra seeds and facilitating containerized plantings
• Recruiting and managing volunteers for surveys
• Collecting and aggregating plant location and demographic data, including mapping
• Planning and hosting Dicerandra Day events in October
• Developing educational materials and content for FNPS social media and communication channels

The details:

• Term: August 10 – December 10, 2026
• Hours: Part time, 24 hours per week (flexible; may include some weekends, evenings, and special events)
• Pay: $20 per hour, paid every two weeks
• Location: Fieldwork in the Polk and Marion county regions; otherwise work from a location of your choice within Florida

Who Should Apply

We’re looking for a college student or emerging professional (18 or older) currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program with a focus in environmental science, biology, ecology, social science, or a related field. Strong candidates are safety-conscious team players with excellent communication skills and a passion for conservation, comfortable working outdoors in Florida’s heat and navigating rugged, off-trail terrain. A valid U.S. driver’s license is required; GIS and social media experience are a plus.

How to Apply

Email your resume and a brief cover letter to executivedirector@fnps.org by July 31, 2026. Questions about the position are welcome at the same address. To view the full job description, download the PDF here.

We are grateful to the Florida Wildflower Foundation for making this opportunity possible, and we can’t wait to welcome our next intern to the scrub!