NEW! Weddings
Volunteers who assist at weddings work in a variety of capacities
that can include helping set up linens, favors, centerpieces and other
items at receptions and ceremonies, assisting guests at these events,
providing tours, or helping break down after events.
Gift Shop
Gift Shop volunteers are responsible for interacting with
customers, sales, maintaining accurate cash and credit records, and keeping the
area tidy and attractive. They also greet visitors, provide them with maps of
the Gardens and event schedules, and answer questions about the Gardens. Gift
Shop workers participate in an orientation session and are encouraged to take
the docent training classes to familiarize themselves with the Gardens and the
plant collections. You must enjoy working with the public and be prepared for
busy moments!
Volunteer Opportunities
Horticulture
Horticulture volunteers work under the direction of one of
the Gardeners or a Lead Volunteer at all times. Duties vary and may include
general cleanup, potting, propagation, moving plants, trimming and deadheading,
and pest management. Volunteers may be assigned to work inside the greenhouses,
in the Perennial Peace Garden, or in the front gardens. Volunteer preferences will be
taken in to account when making assignments.
Education Volunteer
The Education Department provides tours and learning
experiences for school, community, civic, and other groups. These volunteers
are referred to as docents and partake in multiple training sessions to
prepare them for their duties. Docents meet regularly on the first Wednesday of
each month and may sign up to work based on a master schedule of events
prepared by the department. There are two types of docents:
Docents Needed!
Teach the Wonderful World of Plants - Become an Educational Docent! We
are looking for new volunteers to join us, give tours, and provide
learning experiences for school, community and other groups. These
volunteers are referred to as docents and partake in multiple training
sessions to prepare them. Docents meet once a month and may sign up to
work based on a master schedule.
Tour Guide Docent: These docents provide tours to visiting groups,
highlighting aspects of the Gardens, special plants and plant
collections. A general knowledge of botany, plant families,
environmental requirements for specific plants (all from the training
sessions), and a willingness to continue to learn about the plant
collections are essential.
Hands-on Docent: These docents provide hands-on experiences to school
groups that tour the Gardens. Training to conduct the activities is part
of the general docent training program.
Volunteers may choose either or both areas of docent work. Beginning
volunteers will be paired with experienced docents until they are
comfortable. If you are interested contact Nate Drag at 827.1584, ext.
207 or ndrag@buffalogardens.com.
Tour Guide Docent: These docents provide tours of the
facility to visiting groups, highlighting aspects of the greenhouses, special
plants and plant collection such as the orchids. A general knowledge of botany,
plant families, environmental requirements for specific plants (all from the
training sessions), and a willingness to continue to learn about the
plant collections are essential.
Hands-on Docent: These docents provide hands-on
experiences to school groups that tour the Gardens. Training to conduct the
activities is part of the general docent training program.
Volunteers may choose either or both areas of docent work.
Beginning volunteers will be paired with experienced docents until they are
comfortable in conducting their activities independently.
Facilities
Facilities volunteers assist with special projects using
skills such as simple carpentry, electrical, maintenance, painting, grounds
management, janitorial assistance and special event setup.
Administrative Support
Administrative support volunteers assist with clerical and
organizational duties such as data entry, mass mailings, photocopying, and
other clerical tasks. Computer knowledge is a must.
Gift Shop
Gift Shop volunteers are responsible for interacting with
customers, sales, maintaining accurate cash and credit records, and keeping the
area tidy and attractive. They also greet visitors, provide them with maps of
the Gardens and event schedules, and answer questions about the Gardens. Gift
Shop workers participate in an orientation session and are encouraged to take
the docent training classes to familiarize themselves with the Gardens and the
plant collections. You must enjoy working with the public and be prepared for
busy moments!
Special Events
The Gardens holds a variety of special events throughout the
year and volunteers are needed to perform numerous tasks for these events.
These duties include (but are not limited to) greeting guests, working
admission tables, assisting with raffles and auctions, serving beverages, selling
snacks and plants, and working in event specific responsibilities.
NEW! Weddings
Volunteers who assist at weddings work in a variety of capacities that can include helping set up linens, favors, centerpieces and other items at receptions and ceremonies, assisting guests at these events, providing tours, or helping break down after events.
