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Volunteer

Our Unique History: A Garden Built by Volunteers

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is unlike many public gardens. We weren’t built by a city or backed by taxpayer dollars – our roots are entirely community-grown. What began as a grassroots effort has flourished into a vibrant nonprofit, thanks to the dedication, generosity, and hands-on contributions of hundreds of individuals who gave their time and talents over the years.

Today, that same spirit lives on. Our volunteers help us:

  • Care for our 12 themed gardens
  • Host special events and educational programs
  • Welcome guests from across the region
  • Support our mission behind the scenes

Join us, and be part of the legacy that continues to grow!

Volunteer Portal

Why Do You Volunteer at BGO?

Gayle Howard

“From my first day at the very first volunteer training class in 2006, I have felt at home and a part of BGO. There were other people just like me who I could tell about my compulsion to dig up plants in my yard and move them around like furniture, knowing they would understand. I have fond memories of playing Butterfly Jeopardy with school kids, the unexpected appearance of two long black snakes at a Greening of the Garden, working with loyal admission volunteers under challenging circumstances, and the premiers of Chefs [in the Garden], Little Sprouts, Firefly Fling, and International [Festival]…all of which have become hugely popular. The BGO is, and always will be, an important part of my life.”

Martha McBride

“Volunteering for the Botanical Garden has been a very rewarding experience. I’ve had the pleasure of watching the Garden almost from the very beginning. I’ve made many friends and enjoyed many beautiful events over the years. BGO is such an asset to the community. It introduces young children to gardening & nature. And it is a wonderful place for adults to come together to learn more about nature as well.”

Joyce Mendenhall

“I volunteer at BGO because it makes me feel like I am helping my community, the environment, and educating people in addition to working in such a beautiful place. It is so important to me that BGO is, and always has been, a ‘grassroots’ organization. Without volunteers it would not exist.”

Joyce Richards

“Beautiful setting; Beautiful people; No pressure; Great staff who shower you with gratitude and make you feel like you’re part of the family; Gives one a feeling of accomplishment and that you’re contributing to the community.”

Judy Smith

“More than 15 years ago, the sign on Crossover said, “Botanical Garden coming soon,” and I said “When?” So in 2007 I was ready to see it, to become a member and to volunteer. I love the many ways I can help – gardening, guiding tours, working events, teaching school groups, all surrounded by beautiful gardens.”

Martha Ward

“The Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to be and volunteer. It’s also a family composed of staff, other volunteers and members – all of whom care about the Garden. I’m proud to be one of the many volunteers who have helped the Garden function and grow. My current role in reception gives me the opportunity to welcome visitors and introduce them to a place I love.”

Joan Wimberly

“I feel honored to have been involved (even in a small way) during the beginning stages of the Botanical Garden. And it gives me such a deep feeling of gratitude and pride to still be around to see how the Garden has grown and become such an important part of the NWA Community.”

Volunteer Opportunities

Admissions Office
Volunteers work in the visitor’s center in four hour shifts from 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm. They greet garden visitors, and provide information about admission prices, memberships, and upcoming events. They answer phones and direct calls to staff as necessary. Additionally, volunteers take cash, cards, or Apple Pay for admission.

General knowledge of computer software preferred. A background check and initial training required. This is a year round opportunity every day except Thursdays. Volunteers will work indoors and be mostly stationary.

Education/Field Trips
Volunteers help educate children about the importance of nature and conservation during field trips. Guided Field Trips have a volunteer giving a class a guided tour. Station Field Trips have classes rotating through educational stations to participate in a hand-on learning activity led by staff and volunteers. Topics covered include butterfly identification and life cycle, animal habitats and camouflage, vegetable identification, water conservation, composting, and more.

All educational volunteers are required to attend a training session to learn about stations and will have the opportunity to shadow a field trip before leading a station. Volunteers will work outdoors, standing, and may lift up to 10 pounds. A background check is required.

Garden Tours
Volunteers help educate children and adults alike about the importance of nature, gardens, and plants through tours of the garden. As a tour guide, you will walk the group around each of the 12 gardens, including the butterfly house. You will be given a pamphlet with talking points for each of the gardens.

You will receive training by shadowing an experienced tour guide until you feel comfortable enough to lead your own tour.

Volunteers will work outdoors, standing for up to 1.5 hours.

Summer Camps
Volunteers will assist staff during summer camp activities. Duties may include set up, assisting with nature themed crafts and activities, handing out supplies or snacks, or directing children during activities in the garden.

Volunteers will work both indoors and outdoors, may lift up to 10 pounds, and are required to submit a background check.

Horticulture/Gardening/Greenhouse
Under the supervision of trained horticulturists, volunteers will work in the garden performing tasks such as planting, weeding, mulching, dead-heading, pruning, greenhouse work, and any other garden related tasks. Opportunities to volunteer with the horticulture team are available throughout the year and in various areas of the garden.

Volunteers may join horticulturists on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to assist in management and upkeep of garden beds. For those interested in vegetable gardening, volunteers may join for harvest and planting on Wednesday mornings. Volunteers interested in helping in the native plant garden may join the Master Naturalists on Thursday mornings. Other volunteer opportunities, such as large groups, are available with prior arrangements made with the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator and the Director of Horticulture.

No experience is necessary; tools and on-site training will be provided. Tasks will be adjusted to the skill and comfort level of the volunteer.

Membership
Volunteers will help promote garden membership through a variety of activities including membership booths at garden events, stuffing membership envelopes, or making phone calls related to membership promotion or new membership programs.
Community Outreach
Outreach volunteers educate the public on BGO membership, upcoming events, and volunteering at various events around Northwest Arkansas. A booth or a table will be set up with BGO information and might also include a learning activity.

General knowledge of the garden and membership preferred. During outreach events, you will be mostly standing. Opportunities generally occur between spring and fall. You will drive your own vehicle to events.

Little Sprouts

Volunteers help facilitate our weekly preschool program, Little Sprouts, on Wednesday mornings from May–October. The Little Sprouts assistant will be asked to help with one or more of these assignments: set up and take down chairs and tables, check in attendees, assist at the learning stations, help families plant and harvest in the vegetable garden, help with movement time, and assist with story time. We will have many helpers, so you will not be asked to do all of these assignments at once.

Volunteers will work outdoors doing a combination of sitting and standing, and may lift up to 10 pounds. A background check is required.

Butterfly Program
Volunteers have a variety of ways to get involved with Arkansas’ only native butterfly house: maintain the Butterfly House daily, monitor the House during special events and programs, and help to educate school children and guests about the butterfly life cycle, host plants, and nectar plants at the garden and at outside events.

Depending on the areas in which they choose to participate, volunteers will be trained or may shadow seasoned volunteers. Volunteers who choose to work with children must submit a background check. Volunteer work will primarily be outside, standing, and you may lift up to 5 pounds.

Large Event Hospitality
Volunteers serve year round at garden events in areas such as food and beverage set-up, serving, restocking and clean up. Volunteers may also serve as gate greeters, ticket scanners, stage runners, parking attendants, or hand stampers. Some volunteers may come early to decorate and some may stay late to help clean up.

Volunteers will work outdoors, standing for up to 2 hours at a time, and may lift up to 10 pounds.

Operations & Facilities Maintenance
Volunteers work with staff to maintain the Garden structures and facilities. Often involves use of hand tools, power tools, and other gardening related tools. Experience using maintenance tools such as tractors, zero turn lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and leaf blowers is preferred. Ability to lift 50 lbs. preferred. All work is done outside.
Sustainability & Recycling
Volunteers will work with our sustainability partner, Food Loops, to recycle food waste at special events.

Questions?

Email Volunteer Coordinator

My Impact Tutorial

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Volunteer Handbook

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