Volunteer

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Volunteers contribute many hours in almost every department throughout the Garden. New volunteers are interviewed and placed according to the Garden's needs. As these needs change, other opportunities for volunteering can become available. Please review the list of Volunteer Opportunities to determine your areas of interest, and then fill out our Online Application Form.

If you have questions about the volunteer program at the Garden, please contact Lou Cesario, Director of Visitor Services and Volunteers at 718-623-7260 or louiscesario@bbg.org. For inquiries related to corporate volunteer groups, please contact Kathryn Littlefield, Institutional Funding Manager at 718-623-7226 or kathrynlittlefield@bbg.org.

Administration–Office Work

Can assist staff with mailings, updating supply lists, assembling and cataloging class supplies; some phone follow up work, online database name entry, and clip filings, and other administrative office work in Continuing Education, Communications, or Development. Some computer skills preferred. (Monday–Friday; 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Children's Garden and Discovery Garden

Assist education staff with garden maintenance in the Children's Garden, Discovery Garden, and Education Greenhouses year round. Projects may include planting, transplanting, watering, weeding, and other related garden tasks.
(Tuesday–Sunday; 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)

Corporate Groups

Corporate groups have the opportunity to volunteer at the Garden through our Corporate Membership Program. Volunteering at BBG is a great team building exercise for your employees and helps us keep the Garden beautiful. Not a Corporate Member? Visit Corporate Partnership.

Discovery Garden Education Programs

Join our docent program as a weekly volunteer, welcoming young visitors and helping them to explore our hands on learning garden.
(Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.)

Or assist staff and apprentices in leading hands-on nature workshops for families on Tuesdays or Thursdays over the summer, during special events, or over school breaks.
(12:30–3:00 p.m.)

Garden Guides

Lead tours and assist in classroom workshops for thousands of school children each year; lead registered adult tour groups. Or lead our free public tours each weekend and help plan our special theme focused tours. This position requires extensive training, please visit the Garden Guide webpage for more information.

Gardener Resource Center

Research inquiries and correspondence to provide home gardeners with basic information as well as answers to specific and seasonal questions. Some horticulture experience and research ability is ideal. Plant and pest ID helpful.
(Tuesday–Saturday; 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Herbarium - Science

Mount and file dried plant specimens. Help collect and process seeds for the Index Seminum. Occasionally, help gather data during surveys in the field. Help with data entry.
(Monday–Friday; 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Horticulture

Assist the gardeners by pruning, planting, raking, mulching, watering, and weeding. Work with the gardeners to help maintain and further the Garden's beauty.
(Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays only when openings available; 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)

Library

Assist in the cataloging and filing of all books and periodicals. Work on special projects as they are needed and provide visitors with assistance in locating information.
(Monday–Friday; 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)

Membership

In the spring engage Garden visitors, promote and sell memberships at membership onsite sales tables. Throughout the year assist with membership administration, events coordination and benefits fulfillment.
(Monday–Friday; some weekends; hours vary)

Special Events

Assist with public events at the Garden by staffing information tables, working behind the scenes with the performers, assist in crowd movement, hand out programs and support materials, and fill in wherever needed.
(Saturdays or Sundays; between 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.)

Visitor Center

Welcome our visitors to the Visitor Center, help by giving directions, answering questions about the Garden, selling Memberships and Frequent Visitor passes, stocking brochures and maps. This position requires one day of training.
(Tuesday–Sunday; 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

Weekday Assistance–Physical Help

Assist with special projects and seasonal activities including: Plant Sale in spring, Signature Plant shipping, gift bag assembly, window box pick ups, etc.
(Monday–Friday; 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; depending on project/activity hours vary and some weekends might be included)