Volunteer

Our Corporate & Group Volunteers work out on the grounds to weed, remove invasive species, and/or complete mulching projects in our collection. Our knowledgeable horticulture staff will provide the necessary tools and direct your group in the tasks to be accomplished. We will work alongside you to ensure that everyone feels comfortable.

This opportunity runs March to November, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 1 pm to 3 pm.

It is ideal for companies and groups looking to build team cohesion, engage in meaningful community service, and enjoy outdoor tasks.

While our projects are free of charge, donations help offset the cost of materials and project coordination, and to support the Arboretum! If your company has a budget for community work, we’d love to discuss a potential donation with you.

There’s a mighty volunteer force behind every Arboretum Foundation event. Join the team that helps make it all happen.

Volunteers in this interest support a variety of events and special projects throughout the year. Tasks may include event set-up and breakdown, cashiering, silent auction support, and general event assistance. These roles are essential to creating welcoming, well-run experiences for our community and supporters.

This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who enjoy variety, working with others, and contributing to one-time or short-term projects. Event roles are a great way to get involved on a flexible basis while supporting the Arboretum in visible, meaningful ways.

Timing: 

• Opportunities are offered throughout the year
• Volunteers are notified as events arise through our volunteer communications

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Ability to assist with light to moderate physical tasks, depending on the event

Volunteer Garden Stewards assist staff gardeners with the monumental task of maintaining the Arboretum, through weekday weeding and mulching sessions. The Stewards also learn valuable skills, such as plant identification.

Garden Steward Season opens in mid-March and runs through October on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 9am to 11am.

This opportunity is ideal for those who enjoy hands-on, physical outdoor tasks, collaborating in a team environment, and have a passion for gardening and plants.

Requirements:

• Volunteers register for a work party using an online calendar, based on their availability.
• Volunteers should arrive at the start time of the session and are asked to stay for at least 2 hours.
• There is no commitment for this program! Volunteers may attend work sessions as frequently as they can.
• You are encouraged to join at least twice a month—to stay connected with the team and keep building your weeding and plant identification skills.
• Please bring your own work gloves.
• No gardening experience necessary. Tools and training are provided!
• You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer with the stewards.

The Mary Ellen Mulder Arboretum Gift Shop, located inside the Graham Visitors Center, has been volunteer-staffed since it opened in 1985. We offer a thoughtful selection of nature-themed gifts, books, jewelry, body products, and more, with all sales supporting core programs at the Arboretum.

As a Gift Shop Host, you’ll receive training and ongoing support, along with plenty of opportunities to connect with Arboretum staff and be part of a welcoming volunteer community. This role focuses on engaging with visitors, offering helpful information, and creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in the shop.

Shifts are available Tuesdays through Sundays at the following times:

• 10:00am–1:00pm
• 1:00pm–4:00pm

The Gift Shop is open to the public from 10:00am to 4:00pm daily, except for Mondays.

This opportunity is ideal for people who enjoy working independently, interacting with the public, and prefer a low-physical-demand role in an indoor setting.

Requirements:

• We ask that volunteers commit to at least 2 shifts per month for a minimum of 6 months. (Weekend volunteers may commit to 1 shift per month.)
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Should be comfortable in a guest-facing role, willing to learn a point-of-sale system (Square), able to work independently, and ready to ask for support when needed.
• Responsibilities include opening and closing the shop, assisting visitors with purchases and questions, operating the Square register, handling payments, restocking merchandise, keeping the space tidy, and performing light administrative tasks.

Plant Program Volunteers grow, care for, and learn about plants that support the Arboretum and our community. This volunteer-run program focuses on plant propagation and nursery care.

Plant Program Volunteers work across two primary spaces: the Pat Calvert Greenhouse and the Cloney-Harris Plant Nursery yard. Volunteers may work in one or both locations over time, depending on interests, seasonal needs, and availability.

In the Pat Calvert Greenhouse, volunteers support hands-on plant propagation, including growing young trees, shrubs, perennials, and other plants from seeds and cuttings. Work also includes general greenhouse care such as watering and organizing plants. No prior experience is required, though a general understanding of plant care is helpful. Many volunteers join specifically to learn propagation techniques and detailed plant care in a greenhouse setting.

In the Cloney-Harris Plant Nursery yard, volunteers support outdoor nursery operations by caring for donated plants and preparing them for sale to support the Arboretum. Tasks may include plant identification, grooming, potting, watering, and general nursery upkeep. Volunteers will interact with community members during plant drop-offs or sales. Some experience with plant identification is highly valued.

This opportunity is well-suited for people who enjoy hands-on plant work, learning through doing, and contributing to the care and preparation of plants for sale. Some roles are ideal for beginners, while others are a good fit for volunteers with prior plant knowledge seeking regular, ongoing engagement.

Commitment & Requirements

• Ongoing participation is encouraged, with monthly expectations depending on placement.
• Shifts take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
• Occasional Saturday shifts may be scheduled for watering or special events.
• Greenhouse roles welcome beginners eager to learn.
• Outdoor nursery roles prefer some experience with plant care.
• Volunteers must meet age requirements for independent work.
• Tools, gloves, and aprons are provided.
• Some bending, lifting, and standing are part of the work.

Youth Photography & Documentation Volunteers help build a year-round photo library of the Arboretum’s gardens and landscapes. Volunteers capture images that reflect the full Arboretum experience, including plants and collections in bloom, changing seasons, garden landscapes, paths and vistas, structures and features, interpretive signage, wildlife, and moments that show how the Arboretum feels at different times of day and year. Photos are uploaded and logged to support future communications, outreach, and promotional materials.

Participants receive a task sheet from the Graham Visitors Center that includes a map of the grounds, suggested garden collections or areas to photograph, and clear instructions for uploading images and logging service hours. All work is completed independently and does not require on-site supervision.

This opportunity is available year-round and can be completed on a flexible schedule. Volunteers choose when to visit and complete photography tasks at their own pace.

This opportunity is ideal for middle and high school students seeking service hours who enjoy photography, being outdoors, and working independently. This role is especially well suited for youth who need flexibility due to school schedules, transportation limitations, or supervision requirements.

Requirements:

• Open to minors seeking community or school service credit.
• Ability to independently navigate Arboretum grounds.
• Access to a smartphone or digital camera capable of taking clear photos.
• Completion of required youth volunteer forms and documentation.
• .Ability to follow written instructions for photography and uploading.

Arboretum Foundation staff also recruit and manage volunteers for the Seattle Japanese Garden at the south end of the Arboretum. Opportunities range from helping out at special events to leading Garden tours. For more information, check out the “Get Involved” page on Japanese Garden website.