Volunteer

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Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Garden. In addition to donating their time, they enjoy field trips, participate in workshops and socialize with other garden enthusiasts.

A wide-range of volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. From assisting the horticulture staff to interacting with visitors, there are positions for anyone looking to pitch in.

Download the volunteer newsletter Digging In

Discovery Volunteers

Inspire and inform visitors about sustainable green practices, the lifecycle of honeybees, the lure of carnivorous plants and much more! This is a weekend volunteer post with shifts from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m., and you must commit to at least two shifts a month. The next training session for new volunteers is Saturday, August 28, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. This is also the training session for events such as Chocolate: Seed to Sweet and Cocktails in the Garden.

Docents

Docent tour guides lead scheduled adult and senior groups around the Garden, showcasing plant collections, conservation work and current exhibitions. No guide or gardening experience is needed - attend the four training classes and we'll teach you everything you need to know to lead fun and exciting tours.

The next orientation for adult tours is Thursday mornings beginning August 26 running through September 23, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Garden Essential Maintenance

Make the Garden your own! Volunteer outdoors and weed, water, prune, mulch and complete other basic gardening tasks under the supervision of experienced and degreed horticulturists. This volunteer opportunity is available during weekday mornings only and you must commit to at least one shift a week. The next training date for new volunteers will be Friday, July 16, 9 – 10 a.m.

Gift Shop Volunteers

If you have experience in retail or want to learn a new trade, then the Garden Gift Shop may be the place for you! The Gift Shop, operating out of a new facility, has unique products and friendly staff. Both weekday and weekend shifts are available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1 – 5 p.m., and 4 – 7 p.m. Primary duties include cleaning, receiving merchandise, stocking and assisting customers. This is a multi-task position for people who enjoy meeting and helping people of all ages and cultures.

Information and Reception Desk

This important volunteer position is responsible for assisting visitors at the reception and information desk as well as answering incoming phone calls. Working alongside the Garden receptionist, volunteers must be knowledgeable about daily events, admission and membership rates, directions around the city, and parking information. Shifts are available on weekdays and weekends for morning or afternoon placement. You must be able to schedule several training shifts with the receptionist, and then commit to a weekly shift or an on-call basis.

Lobby Greeters and Ticket Takers

The Visitor Services Department is seeking volunteers to greet and orient guests arriving in the Hardin Visitor Center. Volunteers, supervised by the Visitor Services Manager, provide excellent customer service to Garden guests while distributing maps, taking tickets and answering basic questions. This opportunity is outstanding for people who want a fast paced and busy environment. Assignments are 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 1 – 4 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday shifts currently available.

Orchid Specialists

If you have in-depth orchid expertise and a willingness to share that information with visitors, then this volunteer position is perfect for you! You must have a solid knowledge of orchids, including experience with growing orchids, and you must be able to share and articulate this information to Fuqua Orchid Center visitors of all levels of familiarity from beginners to experts. Specialists volunteer in the Orchid Center Tuesday through Sunday and shifts run from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. New volunteers must commit to at least one shift a month.

Outdoor Kitchen Resource Assistants

Lend a hand in the new Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen! The primary responsibilities are keeping the kitchen in order, helping chefs locate supplies, distributing tastings and samples, collecting trash, kitchen cleanup, assisting with crowd control, and answering basic questions from visitors. There are numerous opportunities to assist throughout the week. You must be able to commit to two shifts of roughly three hours each per month and attend an introductory training session.

Plant Hotline

Calling all Master Gardeners! Do you know everything there is to know about gardening and horticulture? Staff, visitors, and inquiring minds across Georgia will test your knowledge with questions about plants, pests, growing conditions, and the ever present “Why can’t I keep this plant alive?” This small but faithful group of volunteers work out of the Sheffield Botanical Library answering over a thousand questions a year from staff, walk-ups, calls and emails.