Chicago Botanic Garden

SUPPORT THE GARDEN

Volunteer Opportunities

Discover, and help others discover, a world of wonder and inspiration as a Garden volunteer.

Come to the Chicago Botanic Garden's Volunteer Fair on Sunday and Monday,
March 7 and 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. You'll Meet informally with staff and current volunteers to learn about opportunities and help the Garden, inside and out!

Call (847) 835-8392 for more information.

 

PHOTO man looking at bonsai   PHOTO woman and boy   PHOTO researcher looking in microscope

As a volunteer at the Garden, you have unlimited opportunities to share your talents, explore new areas, and connect with people of all ages.

More than 1,000 volunteers at the Chicago Botanic Garden monitor butterflies, plant annuals, and help in classrooms, the Café, and a hundred other areas. Volunteers greet visitors, serve as tour guides, work in the library, enter plant data, or track rare plants.

Volunteer enthusiasm and dedication inspire the Garden’s Board, staff, and visitors. The Garden couldn't achieve what it does without volunteers.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a wonderful place for volunteers to make a contribution to their community, form new friendships, learn new skills, and have fun.

You'll find choices to suit your interests, talents, and abilities. Specialized training may be offered to prepare you for your volunteer role. In other cases, experience may be necessary.

A volunteer’s interests, skills, abilities, and availability guide initial placement for orientation and training in a specific service area. Volunteers typically work one half-day per week or two weekend days per month. Contact the Volunteer Services department to discuss other service arrangements.

Whatever your interest or talent, we will explore opportunities for you in the Garden’s volunteer program.

Consider joining the volunteer family! We hope we will hear from you soon.

—Judy Cashen, Volunteer Services Manager

 

Special Opportunities for Garden Volunteers

Volunteer Interaction Symposium
On October 8 and 9, the Chicago Botanic Garden will host a professional development symposium run by the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). This two-day program will enable attendees to broaden their skills, learn new methods, and share ideas about managing volunteer programs and working as volunteers. Registration fee applies. Contact the APGA to register.


Education
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) looks forward to reaching many school-aged children with a variety of on-site educational programs this fall. The CTL has several opportunities for volunteers who enjoy interacting with children, working directly with them as an in-class facilitator for guided school programs. Volunteers are asked to commit to one morning per week (9 a.m. to noon).