Get your hands dirty at The Gardens!
Volunteers bring The Gardens on Spring Creek to life, contributing more than 10,000 hours each year to make our community bloom. From events and education to gardening and outreach, we have opportunities for everyone!
The Purpose of The Gardens on Spring Creek Volunteer Program is to:
-
Enrich the lives of community members through our beautifully curated gardens and outstanding educational programs and events
-
Create a financially sustainable workforce
-
Educate our community about environmental stewardship through gardening
Explore our various opportunities below by clicking the Next tab.
Ongoing Volunteers provide more consistent support to The Gardens' Horticulture, Education, Guest Services, Special Events, and Butterfly House teams.
Please note: New Volunteer Applications for Ongoing Gardens Volunteers are no longer being accepted. Please check back in spring 2026 when our ongoing volunteer onboarding will resume.
Volunteer requirements:
-
Ages 18+ (ages 14–17 may apply as Teen Volunteers)
-
Submit an online application
-
Complete hybrid onboarding
-
Pass a background check (required for certain roles)
Ongoing Volunteer roles:
Butterfly House
Volunteering in our Butterfly House is both educational and rewarding! Butterfly House volunteers are responsible for maintaining USDA containment standards, helping to ensure excellent guest experience, and enhancing guest takeaways through interpretation and education.
Education
Gardens education volunteers help us fulfill our mission to improve people's lives and inspire stewardship through horticulture. Volunteers can assist with a variety of programs year-round, including, but not limited to, group tours, story times, camps, and outreach. A criminal background check is required for volunteers in this position. Tasks and responsibilities vary, training is provided, and all volunteers are welcome!
Horticulture
Throughout the growing season, horticulture volunteers assist staff on weekday mornings in our outdoor gardens and greenhouse. Gardening tasks include propagation, weeding, transplanting, seeding, mulching, turning soil, deadheading, and harvesting fruits and vegetables. Outdoor gardening requires a moderate activity level and a willingness to work under varying conditions. Some adaptations can be made.
Special Events
These opportunities occur throughout the year to assist with set-up and day-of tasks, including ticket scanning, greeting guests, crowd management, and wayfinding. Most opportunities require standing and walking around the event; however, seated opportunities are available.
Can't commit to an ongoing volunteer role? Not to worry! We have many opportunities for groups and individuals to volunteer at The Gardens on a less regular basis. Join us by volunteering at an upcoming special event! No application is necessary, but you will need to create a free Engage account to sign up for shifts.
Check out our current offerings via the Engage platform:
The Gardens accepts volunteer groups of 5–25 people. Participants must be at least 14 years of age to volunteer without adult or guardian supervision. Our volunteer programs support a wide range of abilities. Please let us know on the interest form if anyone from your group requires any additional support or accommodations.
We'll be sure to match your group's volunteering goals with The Gardens' current needs. Opportunities may include:
-
Joining our Horticulture team in various gardening projects around The Gardens. This may include gardening tasks like planting, mulching and weeding.
-
Joining our Events team to assist with one of our community events. Volunteer roles may include event setup or cleanup, or helping out in a guest-facing role during the event. These community events include our Spring Plant Sale in May, Pumpkins on Parade in October and Garden of Lights in December.
Note: Most volunteer activities take place outside and may include (but are not limited to) light lifting, reaching, carrying, standing, kneeling, and walking.
We have many volunteer opportunities for teens ages 14–17. Check out our Teen Program page for more information.