General Volunteer Form

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Volunteer for the love of nature, to learn about our local environment, or because you need service hours.  The Thielke Arboretum has many opportunities.

Docents/Ambassador
Docent Volunteers give educational talks, and act as tour guides for both children and adults at the Arboretum. Whether conducting a tour for adults, or sharing educational knowledge with children’s groups, docents share their love and knowledge of this beautiful natural environment and heighten awareness and importance of the need to conserve nature with others. 
Docent applicants must be 18 or older and participate in an ongoing free training program instructed by the Arboretum Education Team.  Docents do not need a background in biology, science or teaching.  You just need a love of nature, a desire to give back and help others, and an enjoyment in being with other like-minded individuals. 

​Ambassador Volunteers will welcome visitors and answer questions about the arboretum and beautiful Environmental Education Center, when it is open to the public at selected times.

If you are interested but have questions, please contact the Docent Coordinator, Laura DeFlora  or Amabassador Coordinator Jennifer O'Toole.  Learn more about the Arboretum School Programs and Events. Please sign up today! 

Docent and or Ambassador

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Thank you for volunteering.  Please read our policies and complete the form.

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Stewards:
At Thielke we value our stewards - volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. No experience is necessary to sign up! An arboretum cannot exist without careful environmental stewardship. We rely on scientific research and proven techniques to protect our cherished plants and restore native habitats, and we teach these methods to volunteers through hands-on experience. Our stewards become community “change-makers” by learning how to apply sustainable techniques to this remarkable park as well as their own properties.
 
Meet: Tuesday & Saturday, 9am - 12pm, year-round, weather permitting
 
Stewardship Opportunities:

• Practice sustainable gardening
• Learn planting methods and design
• Perform proper pruning and tree care
• Build and maintain trails
• Learn plant identification techniques

• Plant native & pollinator gardens
• Perform habitat restoration
• Help conserve natural forests
• Service days for large groups
• Specialized projects and more

 
What You Need to Know:

• We provide tools and gloves, but you may bring your own
• Please come on time to meet up at garden shed (otherwise it’s hard to find us!)
• Wear close-toed shoes(waterproof boots- best), long pants, socks, tick/bug repellant
• Bring water (a refillable water bottle is best, we have potable water on site)
• Please sign in at the kiosk by the shed each time
• Restrooms are accessible
• Park in the pool lot

 
Bad Weather Cancels​ Stewardship Volunteer Hours!
Heavy rain, lightning, 35mph winds or greater, sleet/snow, dangerous driving conditions, temps below 30.
 
For more information, email: [email protected]

Stewardship

Sign-UP

Thank you for volunteering.  Please read our policies and complete the form.