Volunteers are the heart of the Botanical Garden and our volunteers log thousands of hours each year in support of our mission to educate and entertain our visitors.
Our volunteers work in every area of our organization, including in the Garden itself, with adult and children’s programs, and for our special events. In 2021 we had over 200 volunteers help for a total of more than 13,000 hours!
Many of our volunteer gardeners are local Master Gardeners, but you don’t have to be a Master Gardener to help us with the greenhouse, mowing, the Butterfly House, and all the other tasks required to keep our Garden beautiful and healthy.
Areas To Get Involved:
Admissions/Front Office
Volunteers work in the visitor’s center daily in four-hour shifts. They greet guests of the garden, provide information about admission prices, memberships, and upcoming events. They answer phones and direct calls to staff as necessary. Additionally, admissions volunteers may take cash, cards or tickets during special events and sell merchandise from the gift shop.
General knowledge of computer software preferred. Initial training of our ticketing system required.
Community Outreach/Garden Ambassador
Outreach volunteers educate the public on BGO events and community activities by distributing posters, pamphlets, and information at various events around Northwest Arkansas (requires a minimum of 15 volunteer hours in other areas of the garden).
Education/Field Trips
Volunteers help educate children and adults alike about the importance of nature, gardens, and plants through field trips, family events, and various programs. All educational volunteers will receive training.
Children’s Programming
Volunteers help facilitate our weekly preschool program, Little Sprouts. Volunteers are needed for set-up, clean up, and program assistance which usually consists of a craft or project. Events are held on Wednesday mornings from May through October. There is also an elementary program in the summer, Garden Buds.
Garden Tours
Volunteers help educate children and adults alike about the importance of nature, gardens, and plants through tours of the garden. All educational volunteers will receive training.
Butterfly Program
Volunteers maintain the Butterfly House daily, monitor the House during events and programs, and help to educate school children and guests about the butterfly life cycle. All volunteers will receive training.
Large Event Hospitality
Volunteers serve year-round at Garden events in areas such as food and beverage set-up, serving, restocking and clean-up. Volunteers may also serve as gate greeters, ticket scanners, stage runners, and floaters. Most events are in the evening or on the weekend.
Class Ambassadors
Volunteers help the teacher get situated, greet registrants as they arrive, and scan their tickets. Before the class begins, the Class Ambassador will thank everyone for coming, list the garden’s upcoming events, and introduce the teacher. At the end of the class, the volunteer will help the teacher pack up their materials. Volunteers are welcome to stay and observe the class.
Horticulture/Gardening/Greenhouse
Volunteers work outside under the supervision of trained horticulturists. Tasks include planting, weeding, mulching, dead-heading, pruning, and more. Opportunities consist of several hours a few times a week throughout the entirety of the year. Hours are available on weekday mornings only. Group and independent volunteer opportunities are available year-round. No experience required.
Operations/Facilities
Volunteers work with staff to maintain the Garden structures and facilities. Often involves use of hand tools, power tools, and other gardening related tools. Experience using maintenance tools such as tractors, zero turn lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and leaf blowers is preferred. Ability to lift 50 lbs. preferred.
Writing/Editing/Blogging
Volunteers work with Communications Manager to write, edit, and compile blog posts to include in the monthly newsletters and the website. Volunteers can also interview or find other interested parties to write the blog posts. Spelling, grammar, writing, and editing skills required.
Photography/Videography
Volunteers work with Communications Manager to photograph and video classes, events, and various programs at the Garden. Must own your own camera and have experience with photography or videography. Must be available evenings and weekends.