Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Brooklyn Botanic Garden! Volunteer positions open periodically as needs arise. See below for a list of current Volunteer Opportunities.

Corporate Volunteers

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. For inquiries related to corporate volunteer groups, email [email protected]. Not a Corporate Member? Visit Corporate Membership.

Now Recruiting

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.–12 p.m.)

Weekend Greeters & Special Event Support

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.
(Shifts vary.)

Tour Support

Assist the Garden Guides who lead public and private tours of the Garden by preparing and distributing listening devices to tour participants. Accompany the tour to monitor the devices while learning about the Garden in all seasons from our knowledgeable guides; collect and sanitize the listening devices so they’re ready for use on the next tour. If you’re interested in becoming a Garden Guide when the next training is offered, tour support experience is a prerequisite.
(Tuesday–Sunday; shifts vary seasonally, late morning to early afternoon)

Apply to Volunteer

Other Typical Opportunities—No Current Openings

Children’s Garden Horticulture & Composting

Assist Education staff with garden tasks in the Children’s Garden once per week during the growing season. Volunteers can choose either horticulture or composting. Horticulture volunteers assist with weeding, pruning, watering, bed preparation, and other tasks. Compost volunteers assist with processing food scraps and other plant debris, sifting, and making compost for the Children’s Garden.
(Tuesday mornings, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m., March–November)

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, spring–fall)

Learn more about becoming a Discovery Docent ›

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.)

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)

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.)