Student Opportunities at SmartLandscape
UC Davis students are at the heart of all of the CCUH's SmartLandscape projects. Students have the option to sign up as an Intern for school credits, or apply to become a paid Team Co-Coordinator.
NOW RECRUITING SPRING 2025 INTERNS!
SmartLandscape interns will work together to reach the ultimate goal of the SmartLandscape program: to reduce water and fertilizer use in urban landscaping while maintaining aesthetic and ecological value to the community. We will meet once a week, on Fridays, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am during Spring Quarter.As part of this internship, we will be focusing on the final stages our new project, SmartScape V. By the end of the project, we will have a landscape that compares the performance of point source emitters and microspray irrigation. Together, we will create a new model for water efficiency across campus! In addition to SmartScape V, we will teach you important aspects of the water efficient landscapes we already have installed and introduce you to irrigation technology and water-use ordinances. Spring quarter also provides interns with lots of experience on maintaining mixed landscapes properly for best plant performance.SmartLandscape presents an exciting opportunity for students, as the majority of the projects are installed, implemented, and maintained by student intern teams. Interns are exposed to hands-on-experience, leadership experience, as well as the opportunity to work directly with industry professionals, faculty and staff. No experience in horticulture or irrigation required, all students are welcome to apply!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 12th, 2025 @ 11:59 PM. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION.
Please contact Abigail Bleichner (ableichner@ucdavis.edu) and Jose Mendoza (jtmendoza@ucdavis.edu) for any questions (please contact both of us!)
Students are an integral part of SmartLandscape's progress. Looking for a project to match your passion of urban horticulture? We always need volunteers to assist with event coordination, organizing, and helping maintain our office landscape.
Student Co-Coordinator (paid position)
When there are openings, students can apply for this position. Student Co-coordinator is a paid leadership position that offers the opportunity to lead a team of interns in installing and maintaining the many projects of Smart Landscape. For more information, email the Program Manager, Emily Finch and join our team!
Student Volunteer Internships (for units)
SmartLandscape Internship
SmartLandscape interns will work together to reach the ultimate goal of the SmartLandscape program: to reduce water and fertilizer use in urban landscaping while maintaining aesthetic and ecological value to the community. Through the internship, students will:
- Learn industry skills including working with and installing a variety of cutting edge irrigation technology, practical horticultural skills, and vegetation management.
- Gain insight into California water ordinances, water conservation practices, and sustainable landscaping options for water restricted areas.
- Be encouraged and mentored to approach landscape ecology from both humanistic and biological contexts with consideration for aesthetics, function, and ecological needs of the landscape and its wildlife.
- Build teamwork and leadership skills through trainings, in-the-field problem solving and co-creation.
- Be mentored in all of their hands-on learning and teamwork by the CCUH staff, and will have access to partnered industry professionals.
SmartLandscape projects are displayed on campus at the Western Center for Agricultural Equipment as exhibits to industry partners and local communities to demonstrate water conservation and sustainable landscape design.