Volunteers are an invaluable asset and play an essential role at Jenkins. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and diverse skills make many of our programs and activities possible. In return, time spent in the garden, greenhouse, nursery, and Education Center enriches their lives. At Jenkins, new volunteers join a community of caring, knowledgeable, and spirited nature lovers who help us fulfill our mission. Keep reading to learn more about volunteer opportunities at Jenkins.
Interested in joining us? Download and fill out this Volunteer Application. Return complete applications to volunteer@jenkinsarboretum.org. Interviews and onboarding take place in March and September each year; applications may be submitted at any time.
Volunteer Hort. Blitz
Join with other volunteers to help Jenkins’ Horticulture team tackle a large-scale project during our one-day Volunteer Hort. Blitzes. Put on a pair of sturdy shoes, invite a friend, and get ready to accomplish something big together. We typically host one Hort. Blitz in the spring and another in autumn.
Click here to sign up for our next Volunteer Hort. Blitz on April 27 from 8:30 – 11:30 AM.
Garden Greeters
Led by our Visitor Services Team, Garden Greeters provide a warm welcome to our 65,000+ visitors each year. They answer questions, help with wayfinding, assist in The Garden Shop, and maintain our Explorer Vest program. Garden Greeters are scheduled for regular shifts throughout the week.
Garden Volunteers
Led by the Head Horticulturist, Garden Volunteers assist with maintenance tasks such as pruning, mulching, weeding, deadheading, “de-leafing”, and walking the trails to break and scatter the never-ending stream of fallen sticks and twigs. They also assist staff with garden improvements such as editing beds, removing competition from collection plants, planting, and transplanting. Garden Volunteers work outdoors in small groups on Thursday mornings.
Greenhouse Volunteers
Led by the Greenhouse and Nursery Manager, Greenhouse Volunteers propagate thousands of plants destined for either the gardens or the Plant Shop. They clean and sow seeds, prep and stick cuttings, and pot up divisions from the garden. Greenhouse Volunteers work outdoors in small groups on Thursday mornings.
Conservation Volunteers
Led by the Director of Horticulture, Conservation Volunteers assist with a wide range of tasks in the Arboretum’s natural areas, some of which have been restored and some of which are in progress. They remove invasive species, plant native species, process fallen trees and branches, and install and maintain trails. Conservation Volunteers work outdoors in small groups on Thursday mornings.
Gold Award and Eagle Scout Projects
Learn something new at Jenkins while fulfilling the requirements for your award project. Past projects have included planting a test site for azaleas, planting American Chestnuts in our Conservation Woodlands, and removing invasive species from a floodplain area. Contact us to learn more about projects and scheduling by emailing volunteer@jenkinsarboretum.org.
Corporate and Community Group Volunteering
Do you have a group interested in a one-day volunteer project at Jenkins? We have many projects that are the perfect team-building activity for larger groups, such as pulling invasive species in spring or cutting back perennials in fall. Contact us to learn more about projects and scheduling by emailing volunteer@jenkinsarboretum.org.
Interested in joining us? Download and fill out this Volunteer Application. Return complete applications to volunteer@jenkinsarboretum.org. Interviews and onboarding take place in March and September each year; applications may be submitted at any time.
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