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Administrative
Volunteers provide clerical assistance to staff members during the weekday during office hours.  On occasions, there are weekend assignments available.  Clerical skills are helpful in areas such as accounting data entry, telephone, etc.

DeGolyer Docents
Docents guide tours through the historic DeGolyer Home during the hours the Arboretum is open.  Training is provided; docents normally commit to a regular weekly shift.

Education
Adult education classes are offered year round and course topics include horticulture, landscape design, photography, art, floral design, and more.
Children’s education programming involves spring and fall pre-school and elementary level groups as well as a summer day camp program.  These programs are conducted under the leadership of the staff with the assistance of volunteers on weekdays only, and primarily during morning hours.  Training is required for some of the programs.

Garden Workers and Greenhouse Workers
Workers are assigned to the Horticulture Department and help in planting, trimming, weeding, and the many other tasks necessary to keep the Arboretum in the best condition possible. Greenhouse volunteers assist in the horticultural research projects as well as cultivation. Volunteers are only scheduled to work on weekdays.

Gift Shop
Full time staffers, with the help of volunteers, run our gift shop.  Both shifts are available seven days a week.  On-the-job cash register training is provides.

Membership
During major events at the Arboretum, volunteers assist staff members in selling or renewing arboretum memberships, both shifts are available during these events.  On an as-needed basis, volunteers occasionally assist with mailings, data entry, and other clerical duties.

Special Events
Opportunities present themselves during the year where volunteers are needed for major festivals, such as Spring Blooms and Autumn at the Arboretum, as well as, for evening events, such as live concerts.  No advance training is required.  On-site training is minimal.

Tram Drivers
Drivers for multiple passenger trams are on duty during Arboretum hours and for special events.  The primary purpose is to transport mobility-impaired guests and their companions from the tram stop to and from the entrances of the various gardens.  Special training is required for this position along with a valid driver’s license and alert senses.  Training for tram drivers includes Arboretum garden and history information to impart to guests as they are transported the length of the grounds.

Information Booth/Greeter
Volunteers are positioned either inside or outside of the information booth, located at the main entrance of the Arboretum, to welcome visitors to the Arboretum, provide maps, guidance on enjoying the gardens, information about the day’s public activities.

Garden Guide
A Garden Guide is positioned in a specific garden (such as, the Lay Ornamental Garden, the Johnson Color Garden, the Woman’s Garden, or the Paseo) to welcome the visitors and provide additional information about this specific garden, such as the history, symbolism, plantings, water features, and sculpture.

Tour Guide
A Tour Guide is an experienced volunteer who takes groups on a fee-based, prearranged tour of the Arboretum, scheduled by the Rental Department.  During special events, free tours may be regularly scheduled to drive higher customer volumes on less visited days.

Therapeutic Horticulture Program
Volunteers assist staff with the organization and delivery of offsite horticultural therapy sessions in the Therapeutic Horticulture program. These sessions are delivered by staff with the assistance of volunteers. Includes indoor and outdoor work. Training provided. Shifts scheduled on weekdays, with limited opportunities on the weekends.

 

Volunteer Opportunities