Volunteer

Volunteer for a Special Event

Help maintain our facilities

Be part of a team of volunteers

Contribute to a positive visitor experience

Meet New People

Make a difference in your life and the lives of others

Indoor Opportunities

Weekend Gift Shop Volunteer

Our weekend hours run from the beginning of April through October. Our gift shop is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. From time to time, gift shop volunteers are also needed to help on weekdays. Volunteers in this position must be comfortable working unsupervised and handling money. A 1-hour training session is required to become a gift shop volunteer.

Event Assistant

We have a wide variety of events throughout the year such as our winter soup suppers and the spring pancake breakfast. These are great opportunities to get involved at the Arboretum and are ideal for students looking for community service hours.

Outdoor Volunteer Opportunities

Horticulture Volunteer

Enjoy the experience of volunteering at a public horticulture institution to share your talents, learn new skills, and contribute to your community by assisting with garden maintenance and greenhouse operations, predominately in the spring, summer, and fall. This is a good opportunity for Master Gardeners to receive volunteer hours.

Adopt a Garden

We need individuals and groups who can commit to adopting a garden for an entire growing season. This is another good option for Master Gardeners and small groups.

Tour Guide

The Iowa Arboretum regularly has requests for group tours both on weekdays and weekends. This position requires a training session and shadowing a tour. Volunteers must be comfortable walking at least a mile and speaking in front of a large group.