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 October 2023
Children’s Programs Volunteers
Living Winter School Program
Join us to support the Toronto Botanical Garden’s Living Winter program starting on November 6! This full-day program for priority high-needs schools provides hands-on experiential learning to Grade 4 students. Our volunteers facilitate hands-on activities for small groups of students inside the Children’s Centre. These include dissecting owl pellets, using tools to learn about bird beaks, and exploring animal furs. After a lunch break, the program is held outdoors where the group will go on a nature hike and play group games. Volunteers will assist in setting up and supporting the games.
The full-day program is offered Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The role is ideal for those who have an interest in working with children and love spending time getting close to nature.
Volunteer shifts: 9:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(Accommodations can be made if volunteers are only able to stay for the morning, indoor portion of the day.)
A virtual training orientation will be held on October 16 at 6 p.m. that will provide a detailed overview of the program and the volunteer role within it. If you are unable to attend, the training will be recorded.
2023 P.A. Day and 2024 Winter Day Camp
Help support the TBG educators during our P.A Day Camps throughout the school year. Volunteers will help support crafts, games, and facilitate a predetermined educational activity!
P.A Day Dates: November 17, December 8
Winter Camp Dates: January 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2024
Each day will be a ton of fun and have a unique nature theme to it!
Volunteer shift 1: 9:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Volunteer shift 2: 12:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Volunteers are welcome to stay for both shifts. Training is provided on the day of. Winter day camp volunteers are an excellent opportunity for high school students to gain over half of their 40-hour credit in less than a week!
Weekend Workshops
The holiday season is approaching! To help prepare, TBG is having an elf school, which is a half-day drop-off program for children aged 5 – 10 to attend. During the program, children will create a present to take home with them, that is eco-wrapped! Volunteer shifts will be four hours long.
Elf School: November 25 and December 16
In the month of December and ongoing, the education team has family workshops in the planning stages! We will be posting these opportunities, once details are finalized.
Spring School Programs 2024
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 a.m. and from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The role is ideal for those who have an interest in working with children and love spending time in the garden.
Garden Shop
Currently training newly recruited team members. We may have opportunities for weekend shifts in the coming months. If this is the case we will re-post this position.
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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