Become a Volunteer!

GET STARTED – Please fill out this brief questionnaire 

Volunteers have made the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens all that it is today. Their dedication, cooperation, hard work, and creative energies are the heartbeat of the organization. From top-level policy decisions to pulling weeds, volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Gardens. We invite you to become a part of our family of volunteers - over 200 strong - and help the Gardens continue to thrive. Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden has volunteer opportunities to meet up with weekly groups or explore for an opportunity that meets your interests. 

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS:

• Free training
• Horticultural knowledge and hands-on experience
• Earn an Individual Membership after 50 hours of volunteer service
• Earn a Household Membership after 100 hours of volunteer service
• A "Lifetime Membership" to the Gardens after 500 hours of volunteer service
• Quarterly issues of the Volunteer Voice e-Newsletter
• Volunteer appreciation events
• Satisfaction of being a participant in the growth of the Gardens

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens please fill out our brief Volunteer Application to tell us a bit more about yourself. Our Volunteer Coordinator will get back to you ASAP! You can also call 707 964-4352 ext 10, or send an email to volunteer@gardenbythesea.org.

Daily and Weekly Volunteer Opportunities
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@gardenbythesea.org to get started.

Perennial Garden

Volunteers are welcome to join our horticultural staff in the Perennial Garden every Tuesday from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for weeding, pruning, mulching, composting, planting, and more.

Vegetable Garden

Last year we took nearly 8,000 lbs of fresh produce from our organic demonstration garden to the Fort Bragg Food Bank! In addition, we have been building a community of volunteers who work hard and share knowledge and excitement about food and medicinal plants. If you are interested in food production, organic gardening, and feeding the Fort Bragg community, please join us in the Vegetable Garden each Monday and Friday from 9:30AM to 12:30PM. Join the fun and learn how to grow your own!

The Garden Store

The store needs volunteers to unpack and shelve merchandise, greet visitors and take payments, operate a cash register, and explain what people will see in the Gardens. Volunteers are needed for daily operations, especially in high season.

Nursery & Propagation

Volunteers in the Nursery provide advice to customers, help stock shelves, watering in season and provide information about the Gardens to visitors. It is particularly helpful to have volunteers help staff over the lunch hours in the busy season, May through September. In addition, volunteers help to propagate plants by seed, cuttings, and division under the supervision of the Nursery Manager or Assistant Manager. Propagation makes available many of the interesting and unusual plants showcased in the Gardens.

Seasonal Dahlia Garden Volunteer Days

The magnificent Dahlia Garden displays over 150 varieties of dahlias, producing a riot of color from mid- to late-summer. Each Saturday morning, June to September from 9AM to 12PM alongside MCBG Horticulturist Jim Celeri, learn about these dramatic beauties and enjoy the brilliant vibrancy they bring to this area of the Gardens.

Rhody's Garden Café

Help prepare beverages at Rhody's Café while learning some delicious tricks of the trade. April through September, Rhody's needs volunteers for lunch service shifts from 12PM to 3PM on Fridays or Saturdays. Work with a fun crew and prepare and serve nutritious and organic meals! This opportunity is great for those with a passion for food. Volunteers must be able to stand for most of the shift.

Special Volunteer Assignments

Docents – The Gardens are called up to provide docents for school groups and VIP visitors. Training is available!

Bulk Mailings – The Gardens sends out mailings approximately 10-12 times a year and it takes a team to get one out. This is a fun way to work with others and help the Gardens.

Special Events – We always need support for educational events and our special fundraising events, Art in the Gardens and Festival of Lights.