Volunteer at the Botanical Garden

Learn a variety of gardening skills through our volunteer programs. Volunteering is an excellent way to build relationships with other garden enthusiasts, to accumulate hours towards gardening certificates and community service projects.

Fill out our on-line Botanical Garden Volunteer Form now

Gardening – Botanical Garden
Volunteers are welcome Tuesdays and Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and noon. Please call in advance for Saturday or if another day is more convenient.  Possible tasks include planting, weeding, trimming, pruning, deadheading, taking cuttings for propagation, collecting seeds, removing or installing Christmas lights, and other tasks as needed. For more information, contact Kathy McNamara at 504-483-9464 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Volunteers are requested to bring a trowel, hand pruners gloves and a hat if available.

Gardening – Amusements, Storyland, Big Lake and Park-Wide
Volunteers are welcome Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Tasks include weeding, pruning, deadheading, mulching, watering, planting/transplanting, bed preparation and other tasks as needed.  For more information, contact Dan Preziosi at 504-483-9464 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Volunteers are requested to bring a trowel, hand pruners gloves and a hat if available.

Trial and Demonstration Gardens
This is where we display All American Selection Winners along with some of the newest plants on the market as well as plants that are very reliable in our area.  We need volunteers to maintain, propagate and plant these gardens.  We also evaluate certain plants for performance in the New Orleans area.  Contact Susan Capley, 504-483-9473 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Pelican Greenhouse
Volunteer times are Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  There are an array of plants that Pelican Greenhouse propagates such as roses, tropical plants, vegetable, herbs, annuals and perennials.  Tasks include propagation of plants through seeds and cuttings for the New Orleans Botanical Garden and City Park garden beds.  Other tasks would include transplanting, watering and weeding.  For further information, contact Kathy McNamara at 504-483-9464 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

School Tours
The Botanical Garden’s volunteer school tour guides lead tours of children in grades K-8.  Tours are offered Monday through Friday mornings at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in Spring and Fall.  Volunteers are trained and scheduled for groups and times based on his/her availability.  This program offers a wonderful opportunity to work with children from throughout the New Orleans area, sharing your interest in gardening and spurring an interest in others.  For more information, contact Susan Capley 504-483-9473 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Adult and Children’s Education Programs, Lectures and Summer Camp
Help organize education programs that we offer throughout the year. Duties could include calling speakers, writing class descriptions, helping with bulk mail, assisting during the children’s programs, assisting with large lectures. Contact Susan Capley, 504-483-9473 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Fill out our on-line Botanical Garden Volunteer Form now

Volunteer opportunities for City Park

Visit the City Park volunteer page here.