volunteer in the gardens

We need weed warriors! Our summer gardens are bursting with beautiful blooms as well as some worrisome weeds. Come volunteer to help keep our gardens beautiful. No gardening expertise required – we can teach you everything you need to know. Contact Ryan for details.

meet our volunteers

July 2021
Teresa is newly retired and could not think of a better way to spend her extra time than with an organization that she loves. She became interested in volunteering after coming to the Winter Night Winter Lights display with her grandson, and she began volunteering with the Center in February helping put away lights. And she has not stopped since! Between gardening, the plant sale and special projects, she has volunteered over 100 hours at the Center in just a few months.
 
“The Center staff are so helpful. We are told exactly what to do and how to do it. If we are uncomfortable with a project, they are great at redirecting us and helping us feel at home,” she says. “Just two hours of weeding can make all the difference. Seeing what the garden bed started with and then what the finished product looks like, with all the flowers popping, makes all the work worth it.”
April 2021
Laronda moved to the Quad Cities in 2018 and selected the Botanical Center as her volunteer organization of choice. “The moment I walked in, it just felt right,” Laronda explains, recalling her first visit. “The people here, they make it. There is such a family feeling and so much warmth. And not just from the Sun Garden, which is always warm and beautiful.” She spends nearly 1,000 hours a year helping complete documents and organize files.
 
She started helping in The Garden Store and now spends most of her time on membership completion, ensuring forms are organized, and sometimes making calls to gather finishing details. “I’m not really an outdoor person, but I still help with paperwork and follow up,” Laronda shares. “But I keep coming back for the people. The ones I work with and the little kids who visit. They make your day, especially when a little guest tells me how awesome it was to visit.”
March 2021
Sue’s retirement in 2019 prompted her to volunteer as a consignor for the plant sale. She now donates about 200 hours a year because, she explains, “I’m very at home here. If you love plants and love working with terrific, upbeat staff members, this is the place to be.”
 
Sue had been a Master Gardner for years but notes, “You don’t need to be certified to be able to help. You’ll be taught what you need to know.” Sue waters in the greenhouse, trims greenery during cleanup and helps pot plants for sale. With Sue’s skilled background, she is able to manage tasks independently. Because of the pandemic, the facilities are also not too crowded right now. Sue appreciates that the team is committed to providing a safe environment for volunteers, staff and guests.
 
February 2021
Shirley grew up in Rock Island and finds volunteering is the right blend of garden work, enjoying nature, exploring the facility and using her creativity. “The staff has been so fun to work with,” Shirley explains. “There are many opportunities to help out. It’s is such a wonderful facility to have here in Rock Island, and it takes community support to keep it going.”
 
Gardening in the Sun Garden and outdoor gardens has been rewarding. “Where else can you volunteer that provides such a peaceful, beautiful and serene environment?” Shirley claims. “But watching others experience the amazing Winter Nights Winter Lights event is my favorite,” Shirley says. “Being a small part of bringing that kind of joy and wonder to others is pretty awesome.” ​
January 2021
Bonnie is retired and volunteers about 15 hours a month. Five years ago, she found a place where she has so much fun working with the children. Her favorite aspect of volunteering is “when I see the people smile and hear them laugh.”
 
Volunteers can choose how often and when to donate time. “Like to weed the garden? There’s a place for you. Want to help with our Pumpkin Extravaganza events? We can find you a job,” Bonnie explains. “Volunteer in summer because you like being outside. Volunteer in the winter for inside events. It’s an absolute hidden gem in the Quad Cities.”
December 2020
Tatyana is a high school sophomore who lives in Davenport. She  joined our volunteer team for the Not So Scary Halloween Walk in October, where she organized a group of students from Assumption High School to pass out treats. She also relished the peace and quiet she found while working in the gardens in the fall. “I know that while I am doing something little, it matters. The gardens are very beautiful, and I want to keep them that way,” she explains. “Just get involved. You never know if you like something if you don’t try it.”
August 2020
Roger Carlson loves playing live music. “Bringing tables of people of different age groups and cultures together...that is the best thing that I can see when I look out from that microphone,” he exclaims. “I often gather other fun musicians to join me because truly enjoying the art of entertaining shows through in the music. And we love the staff at the Center. Everyone is in such good spirits and would bend over backwards to provide anything we need. It's like one big happy family.” Roger playing music led to volunteering to take down our Winter Lights display. “The Winter Lights are intensely beautiful and I just had to help put all those lights back. The team does so much work to get the place so beautiful. It's such a good feeling.”
March 2020
Gary was employed as education director at the Center before he transitioned to a volunteer. His volunteering began after retirement in 2013 and he enjoys both the people and seeing the enthusiasm while working with volunteer groups. He enjoyed planting the split rail fence by the potting shed and building quote boards in the Children’s Garden. Gary shares his unique perspective as a volunteer and a former employee by saying, "The small Botanical Center staff is truly dedicated to the center’s mission and always appreciates volunteer help."  
Gary says, “Arrive ready to enjoy projects that are both challenging and rewarding. There are a variety of opportunities, both inside and out, to match potential volunteer interests. Volunteers, come join us!"
January 2020
It's been almost twenty years since Jim and Dianne Andrews, two retired Alwood elementary school teachers, began volunteering at the Botanical Center and we're so grateful for their commitment to our gardens! They have helped by decorating the lobby trees during the holidays, laying bricks in the walkways, building musical toys in the Children's Garden and pulling many weeds and planting multitudes of flowers.
 
Jim and Dianne volunteer to stay connected to our youth by supporting all the Botanical Center does to bring people and plants together in fun and meaningful ways. Dianne encourages anybody to volunteer at the gardens and says it’s easy, fun and rewarding.
December 2019
Gary and Ina began volunteering when the Children’s Garden was being built. Their 500+ volunteer hours in the gardens have been spent guiding Boy Scouts and showing them about service to others, hanging lights for Winter Nights Winter Lights and helping with garden upkeep. 

​Ina volunteers for the sense of accomplishment she achieves and for a chance to enjoy the beautiful gardens. She encourages others to volunteer and that even an hour or two can make a difference. She claims, "Volunteering grows on you!"
​November 2019
Dale, our volunteer veteran, has dedicated hundreds of hours to the Botanical Center since 2013. Whether his time is spent conceptualizing, building and adding bridges to the miniature railroad, traveling to other cities to collect unused track or constructing the wall in our new fairy garden, we greatly appreciate his talents!

YEAR-ROUND OPPORTUNITIES

 GUEST SERVICES ATTENDANT
Be a guest services attendant to work any portion of 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Greet guests, operate a very basic register and help guests in The Garden Store. Bring your smiling face, helpful attitude and your hometown knowledge of the QC to help visitors from out of town explore our area.

GARDEN AND GREEN HOUSE
Work with our gardeners mulching, planting, working in the green house, the children’s garden and our tropical  sun garden. Usually 8 AM - 5PM for a few hours.

EDUCATION
Lead a story time, provide help during a craft activity or get involved with other educational activities and programs. Weekend and weekday opportunities for retired teachers, students looking for service hours or those who just enjoy spending time with children.
 extCommunity volunteers are critical to the success of our gardens. Have you been feeling the urge to give more and do more in your community? We would love to utilize your skills in the gardens!

Would you rather help set up for special events or work in The Garden Store? Willing to share your botanical or educational expertise by giving tours? Get involved and plant yourself here!

Children are excellent volunteers, and we love their help. Teenaged children can volunteer for special events or help lead crafts and activities. Younger children can help in the gardens with adult supervision.  Including children when volunteering as a guest services representative or educator is discouraged because of the specificity of the work.

Have questions or need to schedule a larger volunteer group? Contact Ryan at 309.794.0991 ext. 206.