Volunteer
Do you love spending time in nature and want to support the Garden? We’d love to welcome you to our thriving volunteer community.
Our volunteers are essential to educating the public, maintaining the collection, growing plants for sale, aiding in research, staffing the Garden Shop, and helping with special events.
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Please read on below to learn more about volunteer positions and the benefits of volunteering at the Garden. We typically request that volunteers commit one calendar year (For students: one academic year, or one semester plus summer) of service to the Garden.
If you would like to inquire about volunteering, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. We do receive a high volume of volunteer inquiries and we accept volunteers on an as-needed basis. Please be aware that it may be some time before you are contacted with more information about the program you’ve requested. All potential volunteers are required to go through a screening process and interview with Garden staff.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Volunteer Types
Ambassador volunteers help with welcoming and orienting visitors throughout the Garden. Ambassadors provide general information about the Garden, inform visitors of current programs and promotions, and support plant and people safety throughout the Garden’s 34 acres.
We request a minimum commitment of one season (3 months) for Garden Ambassadors.
Ambassador shifts are available six days a week (Wednesday-Monday), with a preference for volunteers who are available on weekends and holidays. Shifts are 2 hours: 10:00 am–12:00 pm, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm, and 2:00 pm–4:00 pm.
Garden Shop volunteers welcome visitors to the Garden Shop and Plant Deck and stock and sell gift items, plants, and books. Shop volunteers enjoy interacting with and assisting members of the public in a fast-paced retail environment.
For Shop volunteers, we request a commitment of two shifts per month (6 hours per month) for a minimum of one year.
Garden Shop shifts are available on weekdays only. Volunteers are typically scheduled for shifts every other week. Shifts are 3 hours: 10:30 am–1:30 pm or 1:30 pm–4:30 pm.
Horticulture volunteers support the maintenance of the Garden’s collection. Horticulture volunteers are assigned to one of the Garden’s collection areas and work under the supervision of a staff Horticulturist. Horticultural volunteers enjoy working outside, and may be required to navigate uneven terrain, lift up to 20 pounds, and to bend and kneel.
We request a commitment of one year (for students: one academic year, or one year plus one summer) for Horticultural volunteers.
Horticulture Volunteer shifts are available on weekdays only. Shifts are typically 3 hours long and timing is arranged with a staff Horticulturist.
Curatorial volunteers support the Curatorial Department with data collection, data entry, seed cleaning, plant label engraving and mounting, and maintaining and cataloging the Myrtle Wolf Library. Curatorial volunteers enjoy detail oriented work and supporting the Garden’s research projects, and typically have some experience with plant identification.
We ask for a minimum commitment of one year (for students: one academic year, or one year plus one summer) for Curatorial volunteers.
Curatorial Volunteer shifts are available on weekdays only. Shifts are typically 3 hours long and timing is arranged with Curatorial staff. Shifts are typically 3 hours long.
Propagation volunteers cultivate and propagate plants for sale on our Plant Deck and at pop-up sales to further the Garden’s educational mission. Responsibilities include watering, pulling weeds in pots or in the ground in working areas, checking the Plant Deck for watering needs and restocking. Volunteer Propagators work under the direction and supervision of the Public Plant Program Coordinator as well as with other Volunteer Propagators. Applicants must be comfortable with 2-3 hours of physical work (standing, sitting, kneeling, and lifting up to 20lbs).
We request a minimum commitment of one year to the Volunteer Propagation program. The program requires a 3-month trial placement. Successful applicants will be able to work well with others and enjoy working in a team environment.
Volunteer Propagation shifts are available on weekdays only. Shifts are typically 3 hours long.
Dates for our next Docent Training are not yet set. If you would like to be considered for future openings, please fill out our interest form.
Docents bring the Garden’s collections to life by facilitating memorable, fun, and exciting learning experiences for small groups of school children, university students, and the general public.
Docent training is typically offered as a 6 month course on weekdays. Successful applicants will be able to work well with the public and enjoy teaching in a non-traditional setting.
Docents are asked to commit two years of service to the Garden after successful completion of the training. Docents are asked to lead at least 20 tours a year or to provide an equal amount of service to the Education Program as approved by the Outreach Coordinator. Tours are offered 6 days a week (Wednesday-Monday).
Special Events volunteers assist at Garden programs, such as concerts, lectures, fundraising programs and events.
We request a minimum commitment of one season (3 months) for Special Events volunteers.
Hours will vary, and many events are on weekends or after normal work hours.
Volunteer Benefits
Reduced Rate for UCBG Membership. Volunteers at the Garden are eligible for discounted membership rates and can enjoy all the benefits of Garden Membership.
Volunteer Community. As a Botanical Garden Volunteer, you are a part of our volunteer community. All volunteers are welcome to join field trips, clubs, special activities and programs, continuing education opportunities, and other social events throughout the year. The Garden also provides a yearly volunteer appreciation party and celebration each December.
In-House Newsletter. The UC Bee and the Hive are published monthly with news, announcements, special events, and information from all corners of the Garden.
Myrtle Wolf Library. The Garden has a modest reference library, which is available for volunteers to use.
UC Library Privileges. UC Botanical Garden Volunteers can apply for a library card for the UC Libraries.
The Jepson Herbarium. The Herbarium offers many classes and seminars at the member rate for UC Botanical Garden Volunteers.
Garden Volunteer Badge. When you have completed your training, or 30 hours of volunteer time, you will receive an official Garden name badge. This will allow you to ride the UC Berkeley shuttles and enter the Garden at no charge.
