Asheville Botanical Garden is a grassroots community organization started by volunteers in 1960. Volunteers are the heart of our organization, supporting the Garden and its mission to protect and preserve Southern Appalachian native plants.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Self Directed Garden Volunteer
We are now accepting new self directed Garden Volunteers who will care for a section of the garden independently after an initial training period. Volunteers can commit to caring for an area of the garden independently or with a friend. Experience with gardening techniques and a knowledge of native plants is required. An initial training period will be provided to learn about your selected garden area, then you will work at your own pace on your own schedule to keep it well maintained.
Environmental Steward Volunteer
Litter doesn’t just spoil the view—it harms wildlife and our waterways. Join us in keeping Asheville Botanical Garden and nearby streambanks free of trash.
We are looking for volunteers who can commit to spending at least two days per month monitoring our streambeds, parking lot and roadways and picking up trash as needed. It’s a great activity to do with a friend or for families, however children must be supervised closely at all times. Streambank terrain is steep in places and streambeds can be slippery, so steadiness on your feet a must for this job.
After a brief training with staff, you will volunteer on your own schedule and at your own pace. Gloves, bags, and good vibes provided—just bring yourself and a willingness to help!
Trash pickup makes a good group activity too, if interested in doing this with your group, please email volunteer@ashevillebotanicalgarden.org.
Board of Directors and Committee Positions
As a non-profit organization, the Garden is directed by a Board. This is a working board made up of volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to the Garden. Board members are carefully selected for the skills and knowledge they bring to the organization and are often selected from our group of current volunteers and committee members. Our Board members also have a passion for the environment, our community and native plants. If you are interested in joining our board, please let us get to know you by volunteering with us or joining a committee. Standing committees are: Facilities, Horticulture, Education, Nominating, Executive and Finance. New Board members are voted on by our membership in January of each year.
Current Board & Committee Openings:
Board Treasurer: Asheville Botanical Garden is seeking a Board Treasurer to serve as a key financial steward for our organization. This volunteer leadership role is ideal for someone with financial acumen who wants to support our mission through sound fiscal oversight. Full position description here.
Landscape Architect to join the Horticulture Committee: We are looking for a landscape architect interested in joining the horticulture committee. The horticulture committee meets monthly to advise on all aspects of plant collections, ecology and horticulture at the Garden. Members also contribute outside of the meetings in various ways. If interested, please fill out an volunteer application below. You may also email a resume or short letter of interest to volunteer@ashevillebotanicalgarden.org.
How To Apply:
For consideration for any of our volunteer, committee or board opportunities, please fill out the online Volunteer Application Form indicating what you are interested in and we will follow up.
WE VALUE OUR VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteer benefits include:
- 15% discount in the Visitor Center (more on special occasions)
- 25% discount on educational programs
- A subscription to our quarterly newsletter New Leaf
- Opportunity to learn about native plants and wildlife
- Invites to volunteer appreciation events
- Insider emails on garden happenings
- The company of civic-minded, earth-friendly native plant lovers
- The opportunity to meet visitors from around the globe while contributing to your local community
