Volunteering

Share your interest and enthusiasm about gardening while you learn more about plants and insects by volunteering at Texas Discovery Gardens.

Volunteers at Texas Discovery Gardens include people that love nature and human interaction such as Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Rotary Club members, and community members. No prior experience is required -- you just need to have a desire to learn about nature and to convey your knowledge to our visitors.

New volunteers should complete a Volunteer Application and mail it, along with the registration fee, to the Program and Volunteer Manager. (See the mailing address at the bottom of the page.) Or you can bring the application and payment by in-person Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Our volunteer manager is in the office Tuesday-Saturday.)

Volunteers: did you know you can attend Garden Walks for free? Garden walks are typically on the third Saturday each month from 10 am to 11 am. See the schedule for upcoming Garden Walks here.

For more information, contact Sandra Mitchell, Program and Volunteer Manager, at 214 428 7476 x 240 or SMitchell@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org

Volunteer Opportunities at Texas Discovery Gardens

EarthKeepers ® Children's Programs

Many of our education efforts are for children. EarthKeepers volunteers will assist the staff educator with tours, crafts, experiments and other hands-on activities. Volunteers help with school programs, scouts, and outreach. Opportunities are mostly weekdays. Our next training is on Aug. 17, 2010.

Greenhouse Maintenance

Volunteers help with propagation, seed collection, planting, and organization of the greenhouse. Our greenhouse operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 3 pm.

Events and Workshops

Help prepare the Gardens for adult education events. Registration, event planning, set-up, speaker assistance during classes, representing the Gardens off-site, and clean-up are some of the assignments. Shifts vary based on events. Email or call for details.

Photo by Andrew Epps

Tropical Butterfly House Docents

Training is required to be a docent. Job shadowing is also available for new volunteers. Docents help visitors identify tropical butterflies and insects, help regulate traffic in and out of the butterfly house, and ensure safe viewing for visitors. Shift times are daily: 9:45 am to 12:15 pm and 12:15 pm to 4:30 pm.

Administration and Office Help

Volunteers help with Texas Discovery Gardens operations, including accounting, PR/marketing, fundraising, membership, and volunteer management. Jobs include office organization, filing, data entry, making phone calls, bulk mailings, and research. Virtual volunteers can help from home if they have a computer and a phone. Shifts are on-going Monday-Saturday.

State Fair of Texas Docents

Training is required to be a docent. Docents help visitors identify native butterflies, insects, host/nectar plants, and other plants in the butterfly gardens, as well as aquatic life in the pond. Shift times: 09/24/10 to 10/17/10. Hours are 9:45 am to 12:15 pm and 12:15 pm to 5:30 pm

Contact Sandra Mitchell at 214 428 7476 x 240 or Volunteers@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org to get started on one of the above listed volunteering positions.

Click here: Volunteer Application

Volunteer Training

EarthKeepers ® Training

8/17/10  1 pm to 3 pm

   What: Learn how you can support the children's education department and assist with our hands-on classes.
   We train you on the curriculum, and you can choose to assist or teach a class on your own.
   RSVP at 214.428.7476 x270, Edu@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org

Tropical Butterfly House Docents

*6/19/10  1 pm to 3 pm

*Note new times and dates.

   What: These trainings usually follow Butterfly House Tours or Garden Walks (from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.), led by entomologist John Watts.
   Learn policies of the butterfly house and position descriptions. Training is required to volunteer in the butterfly house.
   RSVP to 214.428.7476 x240 or SMitchell@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org


Greenhouse Training

1/7/10  9 am to noon
3/4/10  9 am to noon

   What: Learn how to propagate and maintain plants for the Gardens and the Butterfly plant sale. Training attendees must commit to 30 hours of volunteering at the Gardens in order to attend the class. Greenhouse volunteer hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 3 pm.
    RSVP to 214.428.7476 x240 or SMitchell@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org

State Fair Volunteer Training - A free State Fair ticket will be offered to you each day you volunteer!
*Note new date


9/11/10 10 am to noon
9/21/10 6 pm to 8 pm

   What: Find out about our many volunteer opportunities during the State Fair of Texas. 
    RSVP to 214.428.7476 x240 or SMitchell@TexasDiscoveryGardens.org