TBG is a volunteer-based organization that relies upon volunteers to help run our many programs and events and to meet our goal of delivering horticultural information and services. We highly value our volunteers and could not run our many quality programs and events without them. Our volunteers take a great deal of pride in their many contributions to our organization. They strongly support our goals and are members of the community that we serve.
Volunteer roles at the Garden
All of our volunteer roles involve representing TBG to members of the public and are for individuals who like meeting people and who have good communication skills. For most roles, you also need to be comfortable with technology (email, and using online scheduling and booking systems). Roles often involve working with other volunteers, and many rely on specialist skills/experience and/or need a commitment of at least 6 months. Training is provided, tailored to the role. Some volunteers assist in many roles and there are a wide variety of positions to help, something for everyone! Please read on for more information.
Many of our volunteer roles are unique, the result of finding a volunteer with the particular skills and background to meet a specific need. If you don’t see the role you want, it’s still worth giving us a call! Our main volunteer roles are listed below; the appropriate training accompanies all our roles.
CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Updated May 2023
Children’s Programs Volunteers
School Programs 2023
Join us to support the Toronto Botanical Gardens school programs in the TBG’s Teaching Garden. During these programs, designed for preschool to grade four, students participate in hands-on experiential learning. Our volunteers facilitate hands-on group activities for small groups of students. These included planting in our vegetable garden, leading scavenger hunts, and visiting our worms. Programs are offered Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 and then from 12:00 to 2:00. The role is ideal for those who have an interest in working with children and love spending time in the garden.
Summer Camp 2023
What better way to spend your summer than spending a week outdoors with kids? Summer camp volunteers join a camp counsellor to support a group of up to ten campers. Volunteers support with supervising campers through the day’s activities which include hikes, games, crafts, and free play. This role is ideal for those who love spending time outdoors and with children. The camps run Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a training day is provided in June prior to the start of camp. High school students can earn 40 volunteer hours in one week of camp!
Events & Audience Engagement
Garden Tour Greeter – June 10 & 11, 2023
If you love beautiful outdoor spaces, and supporting a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to connect people to plants then the Toronto Botanical Garden’s “Through the Garden Gate” event is for you! This event is an opportunity to get 6 volunteer hours as a Garden Greeter. It’s a fun, straightforward role that involves you being stationed at the front of a garden that is on the tour, welcoming visitors, and checking wristbands for access to the garden. If you want to volunteer together with a friend we can station you both at the same garden! Full pre-event orientation is provided. Check In at 10:30 A.M. Shift hours starts at 11 A.M. – 4 P.M., on either Saturday, June 10 and/or Sunday, June 11, 2023
Volunteer Photographer / Videographer
We’re looking for talented, local photographers and videographers who visit the garden regularly or are available to attend our special events, capture the special and seasonal moments in the garden, document our events, and showcase how our audience connects with our mission. Photographers must have their own equipment (iPhone or digital cameras) and be willing to freely share their images with the Garden for unrestricted use in our storytelling both through our online channels and publications. Photo credits will be offered for all images used.
Garden Shop
Our beautiful Garden Shop may have volunteer opportunities on both weekdays and Sundays. This role involves a high degree of interaction with visitors, representing the garden and assisting visitors with retail purchases in the shop. Previous experience in retail would be welcomed but not essential as full training will be provided. While flexible in nature (you can pick and choose which shift to sign up for depending on your availability) it would be most helpful if volunteers could support these roles regularly.
Reception
We are activating our Reception volunteer team, looking for new members who have availability to take on ideally regular 3 hour shifts on Saturdays and/or Sundays through the busy Summer and Fall months. Role description available upon request and full training will be provided.
Leading Tours as a TBG Tour Guide
Currently training our newly recruited tour guides. If additional members of this team are needed will repost this position.
Seasonal Hands-on Gardening
Note 2023 teams are now full.
QUESTIONS?
Please call our Volunteer Office at 416-397-4145 or tourguides@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
WHAT DOES TBG LOOK FOR IN OUR VOLUNTEERS?
- Passion for gardening and the natural world
- Great people skills
- Respect and support for others
- Reliability and dependability
- Great attitude
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TEAM?
If you are interested in volunteering with the Toronto Botanical Garden the next step is to complete and submit the volunteer application form on this website (or submit your resume). You will be invited to an interview to discuss volunteering in more detail and assess the best fit.
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