Volunteer Opportunities

Check back daily to discover how you can help the Columbus Botanical Garden and watch your garden grow!

Volunteers Hard At Work

Joann Holt Walking Trail Maintenance

Brookstone School brought fourteen upperclassmen to the Columbus Botanical Garden on Friday, January 13 from 9:15-11:45 am for a morning of community service which involved moving mountains of mulch from piles stacked up from the county chipper to cover and cushion the 1-mile Joann Holt Walking Trail. The student group teacher was John Cole with a student leader, Collie Holt. The Joann Holt Walking Trail is named in memory of Collie's grandmother, which gave special meaning and satisfaction to the hours she donated to the garden this day. Working beside the group from Brookstone were fourteen Columbus Botanical Garden volunteers. Temperatures hovered around 30 but the activity of all involved kept the chilling cold at bay.  Thank you, Brookstone and Columbus Botanical Garden volunteers for a job well done!

Molly Day
 

"Bulb Blast" In The Garden!

During the drab days of winter, the Garden will be getting a bright slash of color thanks to the generosity of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, Virginia. Their company donated 1,000 bulbs. Our cost? Only postage! The Garden was gifted 500 daffodil bulbs and 500 leucojum bulbs (see images below). On Saturday, January 7 many volunteers gathered to plant this wonderful gift!  Thanks goes to everyone who helped plant 1,000 bulbs in just a couple of hours!

Christmas Decorating at the Farmhouse

Christmas has come to the Columbus Botanical Garden!  On Saturday, December 3, 2011 more than thirty volunteer "elves" descended upon the garden to decorate for the holidays.  Many hands made light work!  The volunteers were divided into three teams which included, floral arranging, tree & porch decorating, and wreath making. In addition, Cub Scout Pack 107 created hand-made ornaments.  These ornaments are a beautiful and unique addition to the farmhouse Christmas tree!  A delicious lunch, provided by volunteers, was served as decorating was completed.  Thank you to all who participated with their time, support and efforts!

Pictured below are just a few of our great volunteers as they decorated the house in record time.

Thank you, Martin Jones!

Martin Jones, Columbus State University volunteer, generously donated a tree and greenery from his Christmas tree lot.
Martin Jones' Christmas tree lot is "Buck Field Christmas Trees" located next to Zaxbys on Schomburg Road.

He will be opening the day after Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Volunteers!

  Earlier this year Dewayne Gallatin presented a plan to the Columbus Botanical Garden Board of Directors to create a landscape with impact in the woodland area in front of the farm house. It's been an ongoing project, starting with the removal and pruning of selected trees.  The volunteer event on November 19 was just another step toward completion.  The Fall planting included 150 daffodils, native azaleas, Vince Dooley hydrangeas and boxwood and finally, transplanting five hydrangeas to the back of the property.  Because we had so many eager volunteers, we were also able to give the stand of Little Gem Magnolias some breathing room by pulling the soil away from the tree bases which had been planted too deeply.  A great day at Columbus Botanical Garden!
 

Become a Volunteer at the Columbus Botanical Garden

Volunteer Opportunities

• Horticulturalist: Dig in, literally, by helping staff members with general maintenance, weeding, pruning, and planting.

• Garden Guides: As a guide, serve as an interpreter for outdoor plant exhibits. Lead school groups, local clubs and organizations through the Gardens. 

•  House Guides: Relay the history of the Adams Farmhouse and out-buildings by leading a tour through the house and adjacent structures.

• Special Events and Publicity: Help with fundraisers, plant sales, Member’s Days, and other special events. Public relations, marketing and promotional assistance are always needed!

Volunteer Program

• Columbus Botanical Garden Volunteers are representatives of the Columbus Botanical Garden and, as such, are asked to conduct themselves in a professional manner whenever participating in Columbus Botanical Garden activities.

• Volunteers help the Garden fulfill the mission:  "To preserve a portion of the rapidly diminishing open space in Columbus and to provide the public with a unique educational facility that is based on environmental awareness, horticulture, historic preservation and agricultural values.  This facility shall strive to inspire and leave a lasting impression on those who visit."

• Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two training courses each year. Basic Volunteer Training is offered on odd numbered months.  The same information is offered for new volunteers each time.  Specialized volunteer training is offered on even numbered months.  It is given on a variety of subjects. Volunteers should take the basic course once each year and at least one specialized course during the year. Training time counts as regular volunteer time.

• Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per calendar year of service to receive volunteer benefits.

• Weekend hours are calculated at a rate of 1.5 hours for every hour worked.

• Volunteers are asked to wear khaki or black pants or skirt and a solid color shirt or blouse while on duty.

• Volunteers are eligible for a 20% discount on Saturday Seminars Series. For every 12 hours worked, volunteer may attend one Saturday Seminar during the same calendar year at no charge for a maximum of three free Seminars in a calendar year.

• After working 20 hours or more in the same calendar year, volunteers are eligible for a 20% discount off rental of the Adams Family Farmhouse

Help Us Host a Better Event!

A selection of “butler’s pantry” items is needed to enable the Columbus Botanical Garden to serve refreshments at in-house functions, meetings, and events. Clear glass or plastic and stainless steel items are desired. Other needed items include: pitchers, punch bowl, serving bowls and platters, serving utensils, spatulas and tongs, ice bucket, knives, corkscrew, large coffee maker, and dish towels.  Contact Events Committee member, Molly Day, at mollyday@cheerful.com or 706.987.0404 if you think you have something that may be helpful.  A complete list of needed items is available.  Thanks for any contributions you can make to help us be better hosts at garden events!

To learn more about the Columbus Botanical Garden volunteer opportunities, contact Molly Day, Volunteer Coordinator, at (706) 987-0404 during weekday business hours of 12:00-5:00 pm or e-mail at mollyday@cheerful.com