Volunteer | Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Volunteer with MHS!

Volunteers play a vital role in helping the garden grow.

For those who wish to volunteer with us in 2025, please create your volunteer account, and we will reach out in early spring to schedule a volunteer orientation. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you in the Garden!

We offer a diverse range of volunteer opportunities, from hands-on positions in our greenhouses to assisting guests during flower events. Volunteer positions are posted ahead of time, allowing you to plan your participation! Occasionally have new or weather-dependent projects that may be communicated on short notice via email. The majority of our volunteer activities and orientations take place Monday through Friday. Seasonally we offer evening and weekend opportunities as we continue to grow our team and event lineup. Volunteering with us is flexible; there is no minimum commitment, you can choose to participate in specific events or year-round, depending on your availability.

Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting all aspects of our mission, from horticulture to guest engagement and beyond. General applications are accepted throughout the year, but please be aware that some positions are seasonal and may have limited availability. Additionally, certain roles may require a background check.

We provide all the necessary tools for horticulture volunteers but ask that you bring personal items such as work gloves, kneelers, and water bottles. Reliability, punctuality, and commitment are key to ensuring a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

By volunteering, you will not only contribute to the beauty of the Garden and the success of our programs but also gain new skills, experience, and the opportunity to work alongside our dedicated staff and fellow volunteers. We encourage you to create a volunteer account and look forward to welcoming you into our volunteer community.

Horticulture

Assist our horticulturists with weeding, raking, dead-heading and watering. Learn more about plants and gardening while helping care for our beautiful Garden!

Youth Education

Help cultivate the next generation of gardeners and ecologists. You'll work with kids to help them explore the plant world through activities at the Garden at Elm Bank, schools, and at community events. No experience necessary – we provide on-site orientation and training.

Administrative

Volunteers in our office assist with bulk mailings, filings, data entry, and projects for events, development, membership and accounting.

Event

Be a part of what make MHS events so special! Greet and direct guests, monitor event areas, hand out supplies, and answer questions.

Adult Docents

Lead guided garden tours, answer general questions. Requires training to have familiarity with area plantings and upcoming events and exhibits.

Guest Experience

Ensure a welcoming and positive atmosphere by providing informative and helpful information to garden visitors, help with wayfinding, and recommend things to do and see. Available May - November.

Hands-on Help

Painters, woodworkers, craftspeople, engineers - Use your handy skills to help create a beautiful space, installations, improvement projects, and fixer-uppers!

Community Outreach

Help to share the MHS mission and the Garden at Elm Bank with our Greater Boston, MetroWest, Boston, and New England communities.

Corporate & Groups

Large groups can make a huge impact in a single session! We want to host your company's or organization's next volunteer group. Learn about our nonprofit volunteer opportunities for businesses and groups here.

Corporate & Groups

Are you a business or a group looking for nonprofit volunteer opportunities for your employees or colleagues?

We invite you to join MHS for a team building day at the Garden at Elm Bank. Breathe the fresh air, get your hands dirty and enjoy the great outdoors while helping the gardens grow. Projects include planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, and other tasks that are vital to the success of the plants and gardens. It’s a great way to promote wellness, to care for our environment, and to learn new skills.

We welcome groups of all sizes for a minimum of 3 hours Tuesday through Friday. Food and meeting space options are available. Weekends may be arranged with enough notice.

We're currently working with volunteer groups on the Restoration & Repurposing of the Olmsted Asian Planting Garden. We need help removing deadwood, controlling invasive species, creating biodiversity piles, etc.

For more information or to book a session contact Allison Dush, at adush@masshort.org