Volunteer

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

Conservatory and Orchid Center Assistant

Under the direction of the conservatory curators, volunteers assist with a variety of plant maintenance tasks in the rain forest, orchid center, and behind the scenes greenhouses. Basic tasks include bringing plants on and off display, watering, weeding, dividing and repotting, and sweeping. Some horticulture or gardening experience is needed.

Discovery Volunteers

Discovery volunteers work weekend shifts running a variety of informal educational stations. These stations are geared at showcasing the Garden’s collections, providing information on the Garden’s conservation work and endangered plants and amphibians, and interpreting the Garden’s exhibitions and special events.

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Docents

Docent guides lead scheduled groups on Garden tours showcasing plant collections, conservation work and current exhibitions. Tours are split into groups of 8-12 people, with each docent leading a group around the Garden for about an hour.

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Garden Essential Maintenance

Make the Garden your own! Weed, water, prune, mulch and complete other basic outdoor gardening tasks under the supervision of experienced horticulturists. Shifts are available weekday mornings only and you must commit to at least one shift a week. More Information

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 shop has unique products and friendly staff. 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. Both weekday and weekend shifts are available.

Information and Reception Desk

This important position is responsible for assisting visitors at the reception and information desk as well as answering incoming phone calls and emails. Working alongside the Garden receptionist, volunteers must be knowledgeable about daily events, admission prices, membership dues, 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 weekday training shifts with the receptionist and commit to a weekly shift or an on-call basis.

Lobby Greeters

Greet and orient Garden guests arriving in the Hardin Visitor Center. Under the supervision of the Visitor Services Manager, this position provides excellent customer service to 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. both weekdays and weekends.

Office Assistant

The membership, development, special events and business offices need volunteers to assist with administrative work like answering phone calls and emails, filing, putting together mailers and packets, and helping to set up events. This is perfect if gardening isn't for you, but you want to help out at the Garden! Shifts are available on weekdays.

Orchid Specialists

If you have in-depth orchid expertise and a willingness to share that information with visitors, then this position is perfect for you! You must have a solid knowledge of orchids, including experience with growing orchids, and you must be able to communicate this information to visitors of all levels of familiarity from beginners to experts. Shifts are available Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. New volunteers must commit to a weekly shift.

Outdoor Kitchen Assistant

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, collecting trash, kitchen cleanup, assisting with crowd control, and answering basic questions from visitors. Opportunities are available for weekend demonstrations and weekday cooking classes.

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Plant Hotline and Library

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. More Information