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.
If you have questions about the Volunteer program at the Garden, please contact Jeanine Poggioli, manager of Volunteers, at 718-623-7260 or [email protected]. For inquiries related to corporate volunteer groups, email [email protected].
Current volunteers: Sign up for shifts, check your schedule, and more at bbg.org/volunteer-site.
Volunteer Opportunities
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 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Children’s Garden and Education Greenhouse
Assist Education staff with garden maintenance in the Children’s Garden and education greenhouse year-round. Hands-on horticulture projects may include planting, transplanting, watering, weeding, and other garden tasks.
(Mondays and summer Saturdays, June–August)
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 Docents
Discovery Docents lead activities for visitors in our Discovery Garden, a one-acre space for children to explore plants and ecosystems through hands-on play and scientific investigations. Commit to one three-hour shift each week for the duration of a season. This position requires a one-day training session.
(Tuesday–Sunday mornings and afternoons, spring–fall)
Learn more about becoming a Discovery Docent
Garden Guides
Lead free public tours and registered adult tour groups Tuesdays–Sundays. This position requires extensive training and monthly continuing education sessions.
Learn more about becoming a Garden Guide
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 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 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)
Library
Assist in the cataloging and filing of all books and periodicals. Work on special projects as 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 on-site sales tables. Throughout the year assist with membership administration, events coordination, and benefits fulfillment.
(Monday–Friday; some weekends; hours vary)
Special Event Support & Weekend Greeters
Welcome visitors, answer questions, and staff information tables. During special events, assist in crowd movement, hand out programs and support materials, work behind the scenes with the performers, and fill in wherever needed.
(Saturdays or Sundays; 9 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Visitor Center
Welcome our visitors to the Visitor Center and help by giving directions, answering questions about the Garden, selling Memberships, and stocking brochures and maps. This position requires one day of training.
(Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–5 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 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; depending on project/activity hours vary and some weekends might be included)