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
Now Recruiting: Festival & Event Greeter
BBG is looking for group of volunteers to call on when we are at our busiest: during festivals, special events, and peak visitation days. (Spring weekends, particularly April 28–29, plus orientation)
Responsibilities:
- Welcome visitors at the entrances.
- Assist with crowd control.
- Direct visitors to correct lines (members, ticket buyers, ticket holders).
- Answer questions regarding ticket prices, complimentary admission policies, membership, corporate members, etc.
- Answer general-information questions about BBG.
- Direct visitors to various locations throughout the Garden
Requirements:
- Highly energetic and physically fit—shifts will be spent standing/walking
- Knowledgeable about the Garden
- Enthusiastic and friendly
- Enjoy working in a busy and sometimes hectic atmosphere
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
Are you a nature lover who enjoys engaging with children? Docents lead discovery activities for visitors of all ages in our new Discovery Garden, a one-acre space for children to explore plants and ecosystems through hands-on play and scientific investigations.
All you need is an interest in nature, a willingness to grow and learn, and a friendly team attitude. Join an enthusiastic group of young adults, seniors, career changers, and students who are passionate about sharing their enthusiasm about nature with the community. Docents are asked to attend a one-day training session in our inquiry-based educational approach and commit to one three-hour shift at the same time each week for the duration of a season.
(Tuesday–Sunday mornings and afternoons, spring–fall)
Learn more about becoming a Discovery Docent (PDF) >
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 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 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 a.m. and 6 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 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)