Volunteer Opportunities

Washington Park Arboretum

Youth Programs
Be a force in environmental education at the Arboretum. Activity leaders, program and curriculum developers, and activity coordinators are needed. Training is provided for all positions. Call the Education Coordinator at (206) 543-8801.

• Saplings School Programs - lead K-8th graders on an 1-1/2 hour hands-on, minds-on Arboretum school program.
• Branching Out Program - help lead activities for middle school students weekly during our after-school program.
• UW Internships - get credit while gaining interpretive skills with our education programs. For more information look at this web site: www.cfr.washington.edu/class_pages/cfr/cfr490 or call (206) 543-8801.

Tour Leaders
Introduce adults to the Arboretum and its collections through public tours. Training and on-going continuing education classes are provided. Call the Education Coordinator at (206) 543-8801 to get involved with this fun and active group.

Seed Exchange Program
Index Seminum, an international seed exchange program, needs help collecting and processing seed, filling exchange requests and managing the seed bank inventory. Time commitment: 2 to 4 hours/week. Availability is is 10 am - 5 pm, Thursday & Friday. Please contact Randall Hitchin at 206-616-1118.

Plant Records Aide
The Arboretum Curation Office maintains a records center for all plants in the collection. This information serves as the primary basis for collection interpretation, management and planning. Volunteers conduct field inventory of specified collection areas or taxonomic groups, verify specimen condition, place plant labels, and update computer records. This is an exceptional opportunity to 'dig deeper' and become more familiar with the largest woody plant collection in the region. Time commitment: 4 hours/week. Availability is is 10 am - 5 pm, Thursday & Friday. Please contact Randall Hitchin at 206-616-1118.

Map Drafter
Provide graphical support for development of plant collection maps. Must have good drafting and illustration skills. Time commitment: 2 to 4 hours/week. Availability is 10 am - 5 pm, Wednesday through Friday. Please contact Randall Hitchin at 206-616-1118.

Curation Office Assistant
Provide general office support with filing, copying and data entry. Must have good organizational skills. Time commitment: 2 hours/week. Availability is 10 am - 5 pm, Wednesday through Friday. Please contact Randall Hitchin at 206-616-1118.

Horticultural Maintenance
The gardens and plants at the Arboretum and the Center for Urban Horticulture need constant care. Learn about horticulture by assisting the ground crews with weeding, mulching, planting and removal, and more!! Positions are during weekdays and training is provided. Call David Zuckerman at the Arboretum - (206) 616-4050 and Fred Hoyt at the Center for Urban Horticulture - (206) 543-8616.

Public Relations/Advertising
Help us get the word out! Design newsletters and publications, create flyers and distribute information. If you have PR skills or are interested in learning, please call the Arboretum Foundation at (206) 325-4510.

Public Information Desk
Meet and greet visitors from all around the world. We need your pleasant smile and expertise at the Graham Visitor Center front desk. To apply, please call the Building Services Coordinator at (206) 543-8800.

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