A special thank you for our many volunteers - a staff cookbook of all our favorite dishes! Click here to download your own copy. A limited number of printed copies are available, contact mtickle@bbgardens.org or call 205.414.3962.
Why Volunteer?
When you volunteer at The Gardens, you are giving something back to your community and helping us to fulfill our mission.
As a volunteer, you also reap many benefits, enhancing your personal growth.
Benefits include:
- Increasing social awareness
- Learning through service/developing new skills
- Enjoying better health
- Gaining self-confidence
- Discovering your strengths/talents
- Building a sense of independence
- Meeting new people/making new friends
- Developing new skills
- Making a difference!
Volunteering doesn't have to be a one-time experience. For many, it's lifelong fulfillment!
Click here to view the PDF brochure for our volunteer program.
Who Volunteers?
Adults and teens, men and women, professionals and retirees, plant experts and plant novices, people who like being outdoors and people who like working around different types of people can all be found volunteering at The Gardens.
What Makes a Successful Volunteer?
A successful volunteer is flexible, friendly and willing to share skills in a specific area. A successful volunteer comes to learn, to try new things and to enjoy our natural and cultural resources. A successful volunteer understands and believes in our mission. Volunteers are expected to abide by all policies and rules, just as employees do.
We provide on-the-job training with guidance to help you increase and utilize your skills. You’ll have fun and meet other people who love plants, people, education and the environment.
What are the different volunteer opportunities?
Greenhouse & Garden Assistant – Birmingham Botanical Gardens has more than 25 specialty gardens and woodland areas, representing the best of Alabama’s horticultural wonders. Assist in propagating plants for our plant sales or assist staff in maintaining select gardens.
Tour Guide – Work as a docent, giving weekday tours of The Gardens for visiting groups from around the neighborhood, state or nation.
School Programs – Volunteer as an education docent and lead one of our Discovery Field Trips for elementary age school children, or assist an Advanced Placement Biology lab. Teen volunteers are encouraged to assist our Children’s Summer Workshops instructors.
Discovery Cart Assistant – Facilitate educational activities for families in The Gardens utilizing the Discovery Cart.
Library Assistant – Help patrons access library resources and assist at the circulation desk.
Horticultural Therapy - Assist the instructor, guiding clients through propagating and maintaining their plants, creating flower crafts and visiting other areas of The Gardens as a means of reaching social, emotional, cognitive or physical therapy goals.
Garden Greeter & Tram Driver – Provide visitors with information on activities and facilities at The Gardens; help visitors see all our gardens by driving the Garden Tram.
Office Assistant – Assist with a variety of office tasks including copying, filing, data entry, class registrations, etc.
Special Events – Events help fund our educational mission while raising public awareness of the programs and activities of The Gardens. Volunteer at one of our many great events! Spring & Fall Plant Sales, Earth Day at The Gardens, Family Fun Day, Antiques at The Gardens and HollyDay Magic are just a few of the great events that adult and teen volunteers can get involved in.
Adults, teens and groups can become part of our volunteer team by contacting us at volunteers@bbgardens.org or by calling 205.414.3962.
