Business: The Bower: A Native Plant Landscape and Sculpture Park (The Bower)
Areas of Interest: Native plant horticulture, biodiversity monitoring, plant research, plant
nursery, land stewardship, forestry conservation, arts, writing, education, business.
Business Description: The Bower is a rural public garden and managed landscape on 36
acres in Perry County, approximately 25 minutes north of Carlisle, PA. The privately owned
venue, open free to the public, features native plant gardens, enhanced meadows,
commissioned sculptures and an encircling forest wildland. Located within the
commonwealth designated Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape of the Appalachian
Mountains, The Bower is organically operated, leveraging horticulture and land stewardship
to promote native plant communities and a bio-diverse environment. At The Bower our
mission is focused upon stewardship, education, and learning. Following two years of
planning, design, construction and installation, we are now entering our 6th year of
operation.
The Bower is open to the public seasonally between mid-May and October. Open on select
days of the week predominantly by appointment; the public can attend privately in small
groups or individually. In 2025, the venue was also open a few times a month for public
garden days. This practice will continue in 2026. The Bower offers tours, educational
workshops, music events, and catered lunch and dinner opportunities. Along with public
visitation, we have provided retreats and tours to multiple state agencies, other public
gardens, conservation groups, educators and student groups.
The Bower is now in an active phase of program development and business planning
addressing issues of plant research, gallery development, art procurement and land art
installations, education and workshops, music and theater opportunities, marketing and
engagement, and technology (including GIS development for plant collection and planning,
and production of digital assets). As our development shall be deliberate and conducted
over several years, we envision providing future internship, apprenticeship and flexible part
and full-time employment opportunities.
Internship Opportunities: This posting offers an opportunity for interested student interns
to engage in a diverse set of activities focusing on land ethics, management of a biodiverse
landscape, horticulture, creative activities, and interfacing with the public. While this
opportunity describes a land stewardship position, we welcome conversations about other
areas of the program for which an applicant may have interest (https://thegardenbower.com/get-involved/interns/)
Land Steward Internship: This internship begins in May and extends through the summer
months or into the fall through October. An intern may be extended into the school year
with more flexible on/of site work opportunities (e.g. GIS, web research, writing, digital
content).
The intern will gain hands-on experience identifying and cultivating native plants in a
botanic garden, as well as in wilder areas, also requiring removal/control of non-desirable
plant species that hinder biodiversity.
Depending on the student’s availability, the internship can provide 8-16 hours per week at
The Bower. Certain activities may be conducted remotely, if appropriate.
Interns will be mentored by the founders/owners, Jane and Bill Allis, and may also work
alongside our retained native plant landscape firm, Feather and Fern Wildscapes, and/or
other contractors.
Activities may include:
Activities associated with setting the garden up for season opening and closing.
Land forming (hand excavation and placement) activities in pond/pools area and for
land art creation
Creating pathway enhancements and sculptural elements with biomass
Nurturing seeded and potted native nursery plants
Planting media prep and compost production
Planting into gardens, meadow, forest, and wetland landscape areas
Garden maintenance as initially guided by staff (cutback, edging, pruning, support,
editing)
Managing removal of non-desirable plants that can reduce biodiversity that are in
various parts of the property and will be specifically designated by staff. All removal
shall be according to organic, non-chemical means, mostly pulling and cutting.
Trail and path maintenance
Sculpture maintenance
Noting insect-plant interactions, potentially as part of research
Helping with small plot research on non-desirable plant control through
establishment of highly competitive native plants
Monitoring, record keeping, journaling, plant collection recordation
Answering incidental questions from public visitors
Other activities that add to the visitor experience as needed
Management of own personal safety (safety equipment provided)
The Bower culture is a welcoming and creative space, where owners and employees are
engaged as a team. We strive to learn from one another and enjoy hard physical work in a
relaxed team atmosphere. Interns will be expected to log their daily actions and
observations. Tools and safety equipment are provided. Flexible with work hours if needed.
Interns will be paid monthly at the minimum, experience dependent, rate of $15/hr. plus a
gas travel stipend. Interns will be provided lunch and an unpaid lunch break. The ideal
candidate is passionate about ecology and eager to learn more about the native plants of
the Kittatinny Ridge landscape. Strenuous manual labor and labor in all types of weather is
expected.
Please note that The Bower is approximately 12 miles from Carlisle, with a 20–25-minute
commute.
A virtual interview will be set up for potential applicants. Applications will be reviewed as
they are received. Application by Friday March 6, 2026, is requested. Requests for
information are welcome. Please send a letter of interest with contact information and a
brief description of relevant education and experience and/or resume to
gardenbower@gmail.com.