Volunteer

Volunteer portal

Volunteers are essential to fulfilling the Garden’s mission of enriching lives through plants and nature.

Already a volunteer? Log into your Better Impact account below:

Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities are available based on seasonality and capacity; some require training and/or certificates. Background checks are required. The minimum age to volunteer is 14.

Youth Programs Volunteer
(age 18 and older)

Garden Guide
(age 18 and older)

Garden Maintenance Volunteer

Youth Volunteer
(ages 14 - 17)

Internships

Corporate Groups

Benefits

In return for their time, volunteers gain experience in areas including horticulture, education, development, and guest experience. 

In addition, the Garden provides:

  • Complimentary admission during regular operating hours with your volunteer badge
  • 20% discount at the Garden Gift Shop with badge
  • An annual volunteer recognition
  • Complimentary admission to select Garden classes
  • Dual level membership for volunteers with 50+ hours a year

Contact Us

For more information, email the Volunteer Specialist at cblumenberg@sabot.org or call 210.536.­1344.

Community Service

The Garden does not have any court­-ordered community service opportunities available at this time.

Youth Programs Volunteer

(age 18 and older)

Volunteers learn about the Garden, how to teach children using experiential learning principles, interpretation techniques, and real-world applications to teach the importance of plants. Youth Program Volunteers assist with school programming, drop-in activities, homeschool days, and other programs to facilitate activities for children at the Garden.

Volunteers must commit to at least 8 hours per month and must have the ability to work at least 2 theme days per year. Volunteers must attend volunteer orientation and any additional training needed for each program. Volunteer orientations will occur once a month.

Garden Guide

(age 18 and older)

Volunteers learn about the Garden and how to use informal education to connect visitors to nature. Garden Guides lead walks, assist with adult programming, discovery carts, and other programs as they occur to facilitate nature connection in the Garden.

Volunteers must commit to at least 8 hours per month and must have the ability to work at least 2 theme days per year. Volunteers must attend volunteer orientation and any additional training needed for each program. Volunteer orientations will occur once a month.

Garden Maintenance Volunteer

Garden maintenance volunteers perform routine garden installation and maintenance duties including but not limited to pruning, planting, raking, mulching, watering, and/or weeding. Volunteers may choose to train to work in all areas of the Garden or may opt to work in a specific area(s) under the supervision of experienced horticulturists.

Volunteers must commit to at least 8 hours per month. Volunteers must attend volunteer orientation and any additional training needed. Volunteer orientations will occur once a month.

Youth Volunteer

(ages 14 - 17)

Youth Volunteers help both horticulture and informal education. Volunteers will learn about general gardening while working with a horticulture staff member on watering, planting, weeding, raking etc., and gain public speaking skills through various informal education programs.

Volunteers must commit to at least one four-hour shift a month from September-May and must commit to at least 8 hours per month from June-August. Volunteers must also commit to one theme day per year. All volunteers must attend orientation as well as any training needed for respective volunteer opportunities.

Internships

The Garden offers various types of internships throughout the year. These internships include horticulture, marketing, and education. To receive information regarding internships at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, please email the Volunteer Specialist at cblumenberg@sabot.org.

Intern Qualifications:
• Interns must agree to a criminal background check
• Interns must attend any orientation/training needed

Corporate Groups

Corporate groups have the opportunity to volunteer at the Garden. Volunteering is a great team-building exercise for employees and helps keep the Garden beautiful.

Contact the Volunteer Specialist at cblumenberg@sabot.org for more information.

Interested in Corporate Giving? Visit Corporate Giving.