Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies

Promotes the study of horticulture, conservation, botany, environmental science and landscape design relating to the arid landscape. Funds one or more scholars for one year at $4,000. While the award is intended to have a wide scope pertaining to the arid environment, preference will be given to students wishing to gain practical field experience - specifically, planning and design for sustainability, rainwater harvesting and plant management, etc. - through structured internships at accredited botanical gardens or arboreta, including, but not limited to, the Desert Botanical Garden. Students wishing to intern should contact their chosen botanical garden or arboreta to frame a plan of work that will guide both the intern and the garden staff in implementation and monitoring. This plan should include the time period in which the student will be available for internship. The student should also check with the student's advisor office to see if university credit will be given for the internship program, although academic credit is not required. Open to graduate or junior or senior undergraduate students. Eligibility is open to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled in a U.S. - based institution. Current resume that includes: Address, phone and email. Educational background including relevant education, work experiences and publications if any. Name of a contact person at the accredited botanical garden or arboretum where you would like to complete your internship. Include a letter from the contact person confirming your acceptance into the program, as well as a timeframe for the internship; or if not applying for an internship, a description of your proposed project. 1-2 page essay that includes the following: Your career aspirations. Your specific interests in sustainability in the arid environment and what you hope to achieve through the internship if selected. Contact information for one reference qualified to describe the studentÔÇÖs character and ability. Letter of recommendation from your advisor, using the Academic Advisor Recommendation form. Candidates should submit the following required information to kzelov@dbg.org, with ÔÇ£GCA Award in Desert StudiesÔÇØ as the subject line.