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Volunteering

Volunteers are the heart of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, contributing their time, talents, enthusiasm, and energy.

Volunteers are vital to the success of the Conservatory and assist with a wide range of jobs in areas across the entire organization. There is something to fit every interest, no green thumb required!

There is no required minimum number of hours and volunteers can choose to serve on a weekly, monthly, or seasonal basis. Volunteers are encouraged to serve based on their schedule.


Individual Volunteers

Opportunities are available year-round for volunteers. All Conservatory volunteers must be at least 15 years old, complete a volunteer application, background check, and orientation. Begin the application process by filling out the online application or, to learn more, email [email protected] or call 614.715.8098.

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Current Opportunities

Some of the current opportunities are listed below. New opportunities are added frequently to the volunteer schedule.

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Horticulture

Do you enjoy gardening and learning more about plants? Get your hands dirty by assisting the Horticulture Department! Interior Horticulture volunteers are needed all year long and, from March to November, opportunities are available outdoors in the Expanded Visitor Experience and in the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus. Single-day horticulture projects like weeding or planting also happen throughout the year.

Having a green thumb is not a pre-requisite! Mandatory horticulture training is required to help with the Conservatory’s horticulture department.

Education

Education takes many forms at the Conservatory! Share your enthusiasm and knowledge with audiences of all ages and foster a love and appreciation of nature in others. Opportunities include helping with adult education classes, assisting with community outreach, helping with the Farmers Market and with our Teen Corps program. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden has daily opportunities for volunteers from April until October.

Experience in education is not required, just a fun, positive attitude!

Visitor Experience

Help our Visitor Experience team throughout the year by engaging with guests during our annual Blooms & Butterflies exhibition or at the Paul Busse Garden Railway. Interact with guests during special events or assist with Family Fun Day activities. Be a wayfinder for Pumpkins Aglow and help brighten the holidays during Conservatory Aglow.

Opportunities to help enhance the guest experience at the Conservatory are available to fit every schedule!


Group Volunteers

Service organizations, corporate teams, garden clubs, fraternities and sororities or any organized group between 2 and 25 participants can provide invaluable assistance during single-day volunteer events. These single-day group opportunities are typically available on Tuesdays or Thursdays from March to November. Begin the application process by filling out the online application or, to learn how your group can work with the Conservatory, email [email protected] or call 614.715.8098.

Start Application


Community Connections

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities within the community? Growing to Green’s Community Connections program is for anyone interested in volunteering within community garden spaces throughout Central Ohio. Experienced Growing to Green staff will be on-site with expertise and guidance. No garden experience is needed. This is a great opportunity to give back to your community and learn about all of the cool and impactful gardens in our neighborhoods. Volunteers must sign up individually.

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