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We are almost always looking for energetic, dedicated people to lend a hand in our gardens and programs. If you are someone who enjoys sharing your passion for plants with people or someone who just likes to get your hands dirty – we probably have a volunteer opportunity for you! Some of our opportunities have a minimum time commitment, but many of our volunteer positions are pretty flexible and accessible by a variety of busy adults.
Mattie Wilson
Five Steps to Becoming a Garfield Park Conservatory Volunteer
NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS
All new volunteers must attend a Volunteer Orientation before starting. Potential volunteers can do this before submitting an application, to gather information, or applicants can attend one of these sessions after the application process has begun. These sessions include information about the variety of volunteer opportunities we offer and the nuts-and-bolts of volunteering with us, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of our historic facility.
Volunteer Orientation Schedule
* There are no upcoming orientations. Our next orientation will be scheduled in late winter/early spring. Check back here for dates and more information.
VOLUNTEER AREAS
VOLUNTEER GROUPS & SERVICE CLUBS
We do work with some adult volunteer groups on general landscape, maintenance, and gardening projects around the Conservatory. We also utilize the force of volunteer groups to help facilitate many of our large public events. These group opportunities are arranged on a case-by-case basis and as needed. If you have a service group that is interested in helping out with a project or event at the Conservatory, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss the possibilities. |
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Family Programming Help facilitate
drop-in explorations and make-and-take activities in the
Children’s Garden, Sugar from the Sun, and Play and Grow Garden,
as well as throughout the Conservatory; assist with preparation
of materials for weekend and evening family programs.
(Applicants may be asked to take part in an in-person interview
with our Family Programs Coordinator before volunteering begins;
specialized training will be provided.)
Special
Events Help behind the scenes and on the front-line
with special events like Sweet Saturdays, County Fair, Creatures
of the Night, Meet the Bees, and Green & Growing Fair. Meet and
greet visitors, help facilitate hands-on activities and
education stations, assist with traffic flow, and help with
set-up, break-down, and behind the scenes preparations. Due to the storm damage, Creatures of the Night will not take place in 2011.
Plant
Propagation & Sales Work with staff to grow plants and create decorative containers
that will be sold in the gift shop and at special events as a
source of revenue to support our programs. Volunteers in this
area will also propagate plants to be used in public programs,
teacher trainings and fundraising events. Due to the extensive damage to our propagation house, all plant propagation shifts are cancelled until further notice.
Horticultural Support & City Backyard Garden Work
with Chicago Park District horticulturists and floriculturists
behind the scenes and in the plant collection to maintain the
beautiful displays visitors have come to expect at the
Conservatory. Beginning and skilled gardeners welcome; however,
most tasks are related to the grooming and maintenance of plant
collections, greenhouses and outdoor gardens. More advanced
tasks will be assigned based on experience and skill level.
(Please note: these positions are very popular and in high
demand, so depending on the season, a volunteer may be placed on
a waiting list to get on the schedule. Please contact our
Volunteer Program Coordinator if you have questions about the
horticulture schedule and the waiting list.)
Beekeeping We have a team of trained volunteer
beekeepers who work hard all year long to maintain a collection
of hives used for pollination, education and honey extraction.
(Please note: Our beekeeping class and our volunteer beekeeping
program are currently full. If you’re interested in
participating, please ask us to place you on a waiting list. In
the meantime, we encourage you to submit a general volunteer
application and participate in other areas of the Conservatory
to get yourself started. As a volunteer, you will receive
updates on all areas, including beekeeping.)
Composting Volunteers help maintain, harvest and trouble-shoot our vermicompost and outdoor compost bins year-round. Experienced composters and inexperienced adults who want to learn are encouraged to join this program. Contact the Volunteer Programs Coordinator to learn about the current opportunities.
Administrative Support Assist Programming,
Development, Administration, and New Communities Departments
with ongoing tasks like data entry, sorting and filing, space
organization, and mailings. These assignments are generally
Monday – Friday. Weekend opportunities are available, but
limited.
