Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Garden Guides

Garden Support Activities are behind-the-scenes roles including

• Seed Collectors - collect, catalogue and preserve many varieties of seeds produced in the Garden. Seeds are sold in the Garden Shop, online (vandusenseeds.org), and on occasion are sent to international seed banks and research facilities. Plant conservation and botanical sustainability education is one of the cornerstones of Botanical Gardens worldwide.
• Plant Photographers - support the Garden Curator with photographing the collections for internal and external use
• Humming Bird Feeder - clean and maintain hummingbird feeders. Keeping hummingbirds' feeders clean is an important part of feeder maintenance. The Feeders need to be cleaned a minimum of twice a week.  
• Labeller - supporting the garden curatorial department with the inventory and maintenance of the gardens' display labels. Display labels provide information about each plant so that VanDusen becomes a place to learn as well as a place to enjoy the beauty of plants. 

Garden Hosts act as front-of-house ambassadors of the Gardens through welcoming members and visitors in the Visitor Centre, promoting memberships and Garden activities, as well as answering questions related to the garden and tourism. 

Education programs invite visitors to explore and learn more about the Garden and the amazing world of plants. Volunteer roles include

• Fieldtrip Guides - facilitate discovery for elementary-aged students groups during hands-on, activity-based field trips at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Watch this short introductory Video overview of the role of Field Trip Guide CLICK HERE
• Education Program Hosts - ensure courses and education events run smoothly and successfully. They assist instructors and act as hosts, enhancing the visitor experience by creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• Virtual Education Program Hosts - run courses via Zoom on behalf of the VBGA, and liaise with instructors and participants to enhance our adult students’ learning experience encouraging further interest in the Garden.
• Library Volunteers - support the Yosef Wosk Library & Resource Centre and the Librarian. Assist users in locating library material, with the photocopier, and checking out circulating books to Garden members.

Office Support and Special Project volunteers fill a variety of roles throughout VBGA including

• Volunteer Writer - These writers are the Gardens’ and VBGA’s storytellers, ensuring that our newsletter and publications tell our story in an engaging manner, have a clear focus and remain on brand and effectively speak to program happenings and events.   
• Administrative Assistant - Administrative Assistant Volunteers provide administrative support including formatting written material, mail merges, data entry, managing course preparation, filing and many other tasks for directors and staff throughout the association’s many programs and offices.   
• Photographer - Photographers support the organization in the visual story telling of events and Garden happenings and collection through photos.    
• Adopt a Tree - Adopt a Tree Volunteers support by inventorying and photographing trees in the program and assist with reviewing expired adoptions and their signage with the Philanthropy team. They monitor and report the trees overall health to the Plant Documentation Technician  

Board members bring their diverse expertise and experience to provide governance, strategic direction, and oversight to the Association.  

Camp Volunteers assist Camp Leaders to prepare and conduct outdoor, hands-on, activity-based camps at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Camp programs are designed to foster inquiry, discovery, understanding and appreciation for nature, and the importance of plants in our lives.  

Special events like Harvest Days, Family Concerts and more are great ways to start volunteering or to add to your other volunteer roles!

These activities are low commitment ranging from a few hours to a few days commitment.

Roles may include greeting and wayfinding, moving tables and chairs or other event-specific tasks.

Practicum Placement students will be assisting with Administrative and Human Resource operations. Students will be supporting in tasks including volunteer recruitment, onboarding and data management.