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Volunteering at Adkins Arboretum

Join the Arboretum's expanding volunteer corps! Volunteers are involved in plant propagation at the native plant nursery, assisting with plant sales, and garden and grounds maintenance. They greet visitors and help with children's and other educational programs. Your ideas for contributing to the Arboretum's operations and programming are welcomed.

Erica Weick, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs

Become a volunteer -
     teach, interpret, explore, plant, enjoy!

For more information and volunteer schedules, contact Erica Weick, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs, at 410-634-2847, extension 27 or at .

You may download and print a volunteer application (pdf 105k). Complete the application form and mail it to Erica Weick, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs, Adkins Arboretum, P.O. Box 100, Ridgely, MD 21660.

Docents and volunteers on tour

Weekly Opportunities

Visitor's Center Receptionist - Sign up to help staff and volunteer docents at the Visitor’s Center. Greet and orient visitors. Training provided.

Nursery Work Crew - Tuesdays are volunteer days at the native plant nursery. Help plant, water, weed, and prune. Learn about sustainable gardening practices and the use of native plants.

Outdoors Work Crew - Thursdays are outdoors work days. Work to manage and remove noxious invasive plants that threaten the survival of the Delmarva’s native plants. Help to maintain the woodland and meadow paths and assist with other maintenance projects. Get a good workout and help keep the Arboretum looking its best! Tools, training, equipment, and safety instruction are provided.

Volunteers Maureen Mikolajczak and Kate Halla prepare for a plant sale

School Field Trip Programs - Be creative and help teach children about native plants and the environment. Volunteers can assist instructors, as well as plan and help to teach classes.

Preschool Children's Programs - Classes are offered for children ages 3–5. Volunteers help with setup and cleanup, assist with crafts, join the singing, set out snacks, and read stories to the children.

Other Opportunities

Membership Promotion Team - Join a team of volunteers working to promote the benefits of Arboretum membership.

Events and Programs Hosts and Hostesses - Hosts/hostesses are needed to assist with refreshments, greeting, and registering participants at art receptions, regular programs, and for all special events.

Arboretum Events - Volunteers go behind the scenes and assist staff in preparing for the Arboretum’s Fall Native Plant Sale, the Twilight Party, the Halloween Haunted Hayrides, and the Fall Family Festival.

Arboretum Outreach - Help promote the Arboretum’s mission at community events this fall during the Rural Heritage Festival in Centreville, the Pickering Creek Audubon Center Hoedown, and the Waterfowl Festival in Easton.

Individual Volunteer Projects - Propose your own volunteer project. Ongoing projects include writing articles and teaching the public about native plants and sustainable horticultural and gardening practices.

Volunteer Partnerships

The Arboretum continues to welcome volunteers from partner programs in the Master Gardener community and the Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment (LLIE). Inquire about volunteer opportunities for community organizations and community service days for local area businesses.

The Arboretum is encouraging volunteerism by partnering with these volunteer programs:

Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment (LLIE) is a partnership program between Adkins Arboretum, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC), and Pickering Creek Audubon Center. Based on work created by the University of Maryland Center on Aging and housed at CBEC, the program offers opportunities for environmental stewardship and leadership for older adults.

Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners and Talbot County Master Gardeners continue to enjoy and explore volunteer opportunities as part of the ongoing partnership between the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension and the Arboretum.