Maple sugaring is a defining tradition of Vermont, with millions of maple trees tapped each year to produce the state’s iconic maple syrup. The Proctor Maple Research Center (PMRC) is a premier facility dedicated to the study of maple, featuring a working sugarbush with over 6,700 tapped trees. Established in 1947, PMRC serves as a hub for research, education, and outreach on maple sugaring, the ecology and physiology of maple trees, and the impacts of global change on both the forest ecosystem and the maple industry. With its extensive sugarbush, on-site laboratory, and research facilities, PMRC provides a dynamic environment for hands-on scientific inquiry, applied research, and fundamental discoveries in maple science.

The PMRC internship offers students the opportunity to develop and conduct individual research projects during the sugaring season. Interns gain direct experience in tree physiology and the science of maple syrup production. Depending on their interests, students may work, amongst other things, with sap flow monitoring equipment, analyze sugar content variations, contribute to climate impact studies, or assist with the maple syrup production process. This immersive experience allows interns to explore the intersections of physiology, environmental science while contributing to ongoing research, including long-term studies that are shaping the future of the maple industry.

To be considered for this internship, students should have completed Maple Sugaring in a Changing Environment (PBIO 3990). Applicants are required to submit an essay detailing their interest in maple research and their qualifications for the internship.

Please reach out to Tim Rademacher  for more information.