Volunteering
Our volunteers play a vital role in keeping Heronswood growing strong. Along with contagious enthusiasm, they bring a wide variety of talents and skills that greatly benefit the garden. Opportunities are available to help during public events, in our Ticket Office, or in the garden during our regular Weed, Walk & Talk events. New volunteers will be asked to sign a liability waiver and to provide an emergency contact before volunteering.
Event Volunteers
During public events such as plant sales, events volunteers serve as garden greeters and docents, assist with ticketing, help sign up new members, and even dress up in costume during Haunted Heronswood! Many event opportunities allow our
volunteers to spend time interacting with garden visitors and fellow plant enthusiasts.
For more information, email Heronswood’s Volunteer Coordinator
Debby Purser
Volunteers assisting during our public winter wreath-making event in December 2024.
Welcome Desk and Ticketing
On days when the garden is open to the public, we rely on our amazing volunteers to staff our Ticket Office and Gift Shop. Duties include greeting and orienting visitors, taking payments, recording attendance, answering the phone, merchandising retail plants and gifts, and facilitating new memberships. Training is provided and Heronswood staff are available to help whenever required. If you enjoy working with people and plants, get in touch with Volunteer Coordinator Debby Purser
Weed, Walk & Talk
If you're looking for hands-on fun in the garden, join us for Weed, Walk & Talk, our free monthly volunteer event. These volunteer days run from 9:00am to 3:00pm and include a diverse array of gardening tasks such as weeding, pruning, mulching, and planting. Volunteers should bring their own gloves, preferred hand tool, a bag lunch, water bottle and hot drink if desired. The work we do requires the ability to kneel, bend, reach, and have good balance. If weather allows, a staff member will lead a tour around the garden for the volunteers after lunch. We request that you are in good physical condition. At this time, we do not have any standing only activities for volunteers on Weed, Walk & Talk days. For more information, contact Heronswood’s Volunteer Coordinator Debby Purser
2024 Weed, Walk & Talk Calendar
| Month | Dates |
|---|---|
| January | Monday the 22nd |
| February | Tuesday the 13th, Monday the 26th |
| March | Tuesday the 12th, Monday the 25th |
| April | Tuesday the 9th, Monday the 22th |
| May | Tuesday the 14th, Monday the 20th |
| June | Tuesday the 11th, Monday the 24th |
| July | Tuesday the 9th, Monday the 22nd |
| August | Tuesday the 13th, Monday the 26th |
| September | Tuesday the 10th, Monday the 23rd |
| October | Tuesday the 8th, Monday the 28th |
| November | Tuesday the 12th, Monday the 25th |
| December | Tuesday the 10th |