Volunteer for a growth opportunity
Here’s your chance to spend more time in the Gardens! Become a Descanso Gardens volunteer.
Our enthusiastic volunteers support myriad areas of Descanso Gardens operations, including Education, Horticulture, Guest Services, and more.
Are you 12 or 80+ or anywhere in between? Your help will keep our gardens growing! You provide the time and interest and we’ll provide all the volunteer training you need.
Start here
Becoming a Descanso Gardens volunteer is a breeze!
- Complete a Volunteer Interest Form and RSVP for an upcoming Volunteer Information Session.
- Attend a Volunteer Information Session to learn about volunteer opportunities and next steps.
Current volunteers can log in here
Education volunteers
Education is an essential part of the Descanso Gardens mission. We offer a wide assortment of programming to suit all ages and interests, including horticulture classes, family-friendly events and concerts, and lifestyle and fitness courses.
The public has the opportunity to experience nature’s diversity through rich learning opportunities. In a typical year, Descanso and our school docents welcome about 12,000 students, teachers, and chaperones to the gardens.
Our Harvest Garden is a learning oasis with educational experiences designed for young people with special needs. We need volunteer docents for school, public, and our Harvest Garden programs.
Education program volunteers – qualifications & responsibilities
- Enjoy working with children
- Patience and grace while dealing with all kinds of personalities
- Topnotch interpersonal and communication skills
- Effective communication with students, teachers, and other volunteers, and a particular sensitivity in talking with students
- The stamina to spend up to two hours standing and walking
- Education program volunteers must be available when school is in session
- Early risers take note: Most tours and programs take place in the morning
- Docents need to attend one monthly docent meeting from September through June for two years
Horticulture volunteers
Some of our gardening volunteers are veteran green thumbs, while others are new seedlings when it comes to gardening. All our gardening volunteers share an enthusiasm for keeping Descanso beautiful. They learn new gardening skills and help our horticulture staff with a variety of plant maintenance tasks.
Basic gardening volunteer tasks include weeding, watering, raking, and deadheading (removing flowers that are past their prime).
Volunteers at The Store help educate our visitors on the plant patio. They’re plant lovers who want to learn the basics of plant care and then help others.
Gardening volunteers - qualifications & responsibilities
- Successful completion of the Gardening Volunteers training class and acceptance into the program
- Ability and stamina to spend up to three hours bending and standing
- Training provided
- Once their training is complete, garden volunteers must commit to working two weekday morning shifts each month and attend required meetings
- Morning shifts available year-round
Guest Services volunteers
Often a visitor’s first point of contact at the Gardens, Guest Services volunteers can have a significant impact on the guest experience. These volunteers provide cheerful, informed service by staffing the Information Station, the Boddy House, Sturt Haaga Gallery, and the Enchanted Railroad.
The most successful Guest Services volunteers are fascinated by horticulture, history, or art and have a knack for delivering outstanding customer service.
Guest Services volunteers - qualifications & responsibilities
- Enthusiasm for Descanso Gardens and everything it offers
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Ability to handle visitor issues in a positive proactive way
- Training provided
- A minimum of six hours of volunteer service each month
- Morning and afternoon shifts are available daily
Enchanted Railroad volunteers - qualifications & responsibilities
- Conductor volunteers need excellent communication skills while greeting Descanso Gardens guests and taking tickets
- Must ride on the train’s caboose to ensure passenger safety
- Must attend yearly training
Boddy House & art gallery volunteers - qualifications & responsibilities
- As a Boddy House and Sturt Haaga Gallery volunteer, be prepared to welcome visitors to the house and art gallery and educate them on the building’s history and exhibitions
- Convey a high degree of warmth, strong interpersonal communication skills, and a well-developed sense of humor
- Knowledge of or interest in art, history, architecture, science, and/or horticulture
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time and walk long distances to outdoor locations
- Ability to stay current on updates to the Docent book and with happenings at Descanso
- Attend exhibition trainings when needed
- Open/close the Boddy house and gallery
- Greet guests and answer questions
- Offer a short overview of the house and/or current exhibition
- Help safeguard the house and gallery and their furnishings and art work
SEED Summer Program - Student Environmental Educators of Descanso
Earn service hours and learn something new in horticulture, outdoor education, and gallery education while deepening your skills and building new friendships at Descanso Gardens!
Students ages 16+ are invited to join our Summer Student Volunteer Program, SEED, from June 3–Aug. 11, 2024. Training will be provided.
Applications are now closed. Please check back next year.
Student Community Service Days
Earn service hours for school and help us care for Descanso Gardens at the same time during our Student Community Service Days. For ages 12–15. Please see our calendar for additional details.
Community Service Days
Get hands-on gardening experience and help care for Descanso at this volunteer opportunity. Instruction will be provided. For anyone 16 years and older. Please see our calendar for additional details.
GARDEN SECRET
Wanna know a secret?
Learn about Descanso’s hidden treasures
Our Guest Services volunteers help visitors find secret garden areas like the Rose Garden Labyrinth and the Fibonacci spiral