Volunteer
Come join us!
Welcome!
Our volunteers contribute to the beauty and success of the Arboretum. They are a vital part of our community. We couldn’t do what we do without them. Individuals, groups, adults, children, all are welcome. Learn new skills, share what you can do, make new friends, have fun and become an integral member of the Arboretum community. We have both ongoing and short-term projects. Some are done with others and some done solo whenever you feel like it. We also are enriched by those volunteers who choose to share their talents, abilities and ideas. Come join us!
We are always looking for dedicated community members to help make the Arboretum its best and have fun getting to know us! Your level of skill isn’t important, we have something for everybody. Below are just some of the many opportunities we have to get involved and we’re open to your ideas! If they look interesting sign up to be a volunteer, take our fun personality quiz on this page to see what you’ll most enjoy, or check out our current opportunities!
- Maintain trails (Trail Blazers) Clean and maintain trails and plants along the trails!
- Work at the community farm (Farm Flyers) Help students weed, plant, take care of, and harvest vegetables for our service to families in need.
- Harvest crops Thursday mornings during the summer. Help students harvest the veggies.
- Tend our gardens (Green Gardeners) Help weed, plant, and make beautiful gardens.
- Help with Special Events (Event Eagles) Chaperone, traffic control, unloading cars at recycling days are all needed help.
- Supply refreshments for a volunteer event Our hard-working volunteers appreciate being refreshed!
- Greet visitors and helping with office tasks (Office Optimist) When we open, greet visitors, monitor the gift shop.
- Fix It! We always have something to adjust or fix. Just ask!
- Design posters and flyers at home (Media Masters) Working on digital media projects, updating computer information from your own home
- Adopt a Plot This is a great family project. Take a ½ our training session and learn what belongs in the Arboretum and what is invasive. Then visit your assigned plot and remove the invasive plants. Keep an eye on your plot from April until October for any new growth of plants that don’t belong and uproot them when you see them.
- Free a Tree This project can be done solo, with a partner, or by a group just about any time. We have trees that are being strangled by vines and could use a little breathing room. Contact us if you’re interested and we’ll provide a short (10 minute) training, bring gloves and clippers and you’re on your way!
- Share your garden Have too many plants? Do some need dividing? Donate your extras to the Arboretum for planting or sales (Be sure to contact us first though!)
- Connect us Know someone who might want to sponsor us or have something to donate or contribute? Connect us!
- Have a special skill or talent? Let us know what you can do! We can use painters, gardeners, contractors, tree, plant, bird, insect experts and more!
Not sure which opportunity would fit you best?
Take our personality quiz! -
Gold Award/Eagle Scout Projects The Althouse Arboretum has worked with many Ambassadors and Eagle Scouts on their project requirements. For information about possible projects, please contact Ken.
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Community Service Projects The Arboretum welcomes groups of various sizes to volunteer on the grounds and in the gardens. Volunteer groups can assist with invasive species removal, weeding, mulching, litter clean up, building, painting and more. Group projects vary depending on the season and abilities.
If any of these interest you or you have other ideas sign up now or email us. We’re listening!