Greetings!

Spring is just around the corner and the warm weather has us itching to get in the gardens, ongoing volunteers shifts for horticulture are open at Chatfield Farms along with some very special project days. See below for a variety of opportunities for you to join us as a volunteer soon.

The Volunteer Services Team

Tracy, Katie L., Marissa, Katie J., Maureen and Eli

Urban Food Initiatives

(Mariposa & Sun Valley Urban Farm)

Do you have an interest in helping your local community? Maybe a passion for growing unique and sometimes exotic produce? At the Mariposa and Sun Valley Urban Farms our wonderful horticulturalist Julia Z. cultivates produce for our neighbors in those two communities and even partners with the folks that live down there to grow crops that they can't find in their local stores.

Dates: Mariposa Urban Farm - Monday & Tuesday

Sun Valley Urban Farm - Tuesday & Wednesday



Times: All shifts are from 9 a.m. to noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing

Description and Qualifications: In our continued efforts to increase access to fresh, healthy food through a number of community-based projects. Denver Botanic Gardens offers our Urban Food Initiatives through the support at the Mariposa Urban Farm and Sun Valley Urban Farm. These community gardens help to provide access to food to folks in the surrounding neighborhoods through free farm stands. Volunteers would assist with watering, planting, processing, and assisting with the farm stand. Please note that both of these gardens are located off-site but volunteers will typically meet at our York St. location with the horticulturalist to coordinate transportation to the site.

Interested? Reach out to eli.armenteros@botanicgardens.org

School Groups

Dates: Offerings throughout the year (weekdays and weekends)

Times: Shift times vary but are commonly in the morning or afternoon.



Volunteer Type: Ongoing

Description and Qualifications: Do you have a passion for working with school aged kids to help them to interact with the gardens and learn more about the world around them? If so then the School Groups team might be a great place for you to get involved! Denver Botanic Gardens offers numerous on-site programs for school children to learn about and explore the world of plants. School Programs emphasize discovery, exploration and self-awareness of a subject. Volunteer Guides are needed to work with small groups of children (12 or fewer) leading them through the program activities and facilitating the discovery process.

Interested? Email eli.armenteros@botanicgardens.org

Spring School Programs

Dates: April 3, 7, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 30

Times: Various Times

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Children's Education Volunteers

Description and Qualifications: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms offers numerous on-site programs for school children to learn about and explore the ecosystems and farm area of Chatfield Farms. Volunteer Guides are needed to work with small groups of children, leading them through program activities and facilitating the discovery process. Volunteer Guide connects students to plants and ecosystems through guided explorations that are inquiry-based and align with the Colorado State Academic and Science Standard.



Interested? Sign up on Volgistics or contact ChatfieldVol@botanicgardens.org

NEW Crevice Garden Planting Days

Dates: Monday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 16

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: We are excited to start planting the new Crevice Garden that is located right behind the New Robert and Judi Newman Welcome Center at Chatfield Farms. Join us for an exciting day of planting the brand new garden!

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Please sign up in Volgistics, or Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Lavender Garden Spring Pruning and Mulching

Dates: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 6,7,8

Times: 9 a.m. - 11:30 am

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: Spring is around the corner and our beautiful and fragrant lavender garden needs its annual pruning and mulching. Volunteers will be working alongside the horticulture team to prepare the Lavender Garden for the season.

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Please sign up in Volgistics or Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Romantic, Woodland and Cottage Gardens with Abbey

Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting the third week in April

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: Main areas of cultivation include the Open Air Chapel (semi-formal romantic), Center Water Feature (woodland), Admin/Polly Steele (cottage), and Admin Island (xeric). Main tasks include weeding, raking, planting, dead heading, and general plant care. Occasionally, we might go to other areas and/or work with other volunteers or Staff.

To read more about the gardens around Chatfield Farms check out our website: Chatfield Farms - Our Gardens

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit for extended periods (greater than 1hr)
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed
• Weekly commitment is preferred

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Prairie, Plant Select and Cactus Gardens with Grace

Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting last week of April

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: Areas include Plant Select Demonstration Garden, Unirrigated Cactus Collection, Rock Garden and Labyrinth, Crevice garden and the newly installed Welcome Center gardens. Plant Select Demonstration Garden, Rock and Crevice gardens and Unirrigated Cactus Collection all include unique xeric, drought tolerant, and some alpine species of plants from Colorado and other areas of the world. Volunteers will be expected to work independently for a majority of their shifts after receiving instruction from Grace. With 11 years under her belt as a horticulturist in both Missouri and Colorado, Grace will do her best to share her understanding of native and xeric plants with those who choose to volunteer with her.

To read more about the gardens around Chatfield Farms check out our website: Chatfield Farms - Our Gardens

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit for extended periods (greater than 1hr)
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed
• Weekly commitment is preferred

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Iris, Heirloom, Herb and Edible Gardens with Cassie

Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays starting the beginning of April

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: Volunteers help with general garden maintenance in the Historic Hildebrand Ranch Gardens and the Historic Iris Garden. Within these gardens we plant, weed and cultivate heirloom varieties such as trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. These include memorial and edible gardens, including the new Hildebrand Ranch Herb Garden.

To read more about the gardens around Chatfield Farms check out our website: Chatfield Farms - Our Gardens

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit for extended periods (greater than 1hr)
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed
• Weekly commitment is preferred

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Lavender and Ornamental Gardens with Shealyn

Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting mid April

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: Volunteers help with general weeding and garden maintenance of various ornamental gardens including the Lavender Collection and surrounding perennial borders, the Deer Creek Discovery and Children’s Play Area, and other areas as needed. This position is great for anyone interested in horticulture and wanting to work outdoors!

To read more about the gardens around Chatfield Farms check out our website: Chatfield Farms - Our Gardens

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit for extended periods (greater than 1hr)
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed
• Weekly commitment is preferred

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Restoration Gardens with Walter

Dates: Wednesdays starting in late April

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing Volunteers

Description: Volunteers help with hand weeding of Oak Savanna and Prairie Grassland restoration sites, along with planting native perennial species and occasionally assisting with watering. This position is great for anyone interested in native grassland restoration and plant identification! Work will be conducted in grassland gardens with high sun exposure. Frequent kneeling for planting and weeding will be necessary.

To read more about the gardens around Chatfield Farms check out our website: Chatfield Farms - Our Gardens

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit for extended periods (greater than 1hr)
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed
• Weekly commitment is preferred

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Market Garden Mulching with CSA

Date: Thursday, April 3

Times: 8 a.m. - Noon

Volunteer Type: Ongoing and Special Event Volunteers

Description: Join us to kick off the season by assisting the CSA with a mulching project in the Market Garden. Volunteer will be working side by side with CSA staff to complete this project, come join us to get some fresh air at Chatfield Farms.

Qualifications:

• Comfortable working outdoors in open areas, fluctuating temperatures and the elements
• Able to stand, bend, kneel and sit
• Comfortable working in a group and independently with direction from staff
• Comfortable asking for help/clarification when needed

Training, instruction and guidance for all tasks is provided as needed.

Interested? Please sign up in Volgistics or Contact Marissa Page Marissa.Page@botanicgardens.org

Volunteer Champion Role for York Street and Chatfield Farms

Volunteer Leadership Opportunity!

Dates: Various dates throughout the year based on Gardens special events & programs, volunteers scheduled based on availability, interest and need

Volunteer Type:  Ongoing

Description: Volunteer Champions enhance and grow the volunteer experience at special events and/or programs in which volunteers are supporting Denver Botanic Gardens. Volunteer Champions support Volunteer Services and Events staff by acting as resources for new and returning volunteers during larger special events and programs.  

 Qualifications:  

• One year as an ongoing volunteer
• Complete Volunteer Champion interest form
• Complete placement discussion conversation with Volunteer Services staff to connect and discuss event preferences and specifics of volunteer position
• Complete Volunteer Champion training with a focus on creating a welcoming environment for all volunteers
• Ability to work collaboratively with other Volunteer Champions, special event and ongoing volunteers as well as the Gardens staff

Interested in learning more? Contact Tracy Vlnicka at tracy.vlnicka@botanicgardens.org for the complete position description, specific details and a link to the interest form.