Docent Program
Please Note: the Arboretum is not recruiting new docents at this time.
Volunteer
Expand your knowledge of the Arboretum and share your passion for plants with others. As an Arnold Arboretum docent, you will be trained to lead tours for adults, both for the general public and special interest groups.
Staff Contact
For more information, call Julie Warsowe, manager of visitor education, at 617.384-5253 or email docents@arnarb.harvard.edu.
You can also submit a volunteer application and we'll get in touch with you.
Location
The Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA
Directions are available.
Responsibilities and Time Commitment
- Attend four training days in the spring, which will cover Arboretum history, horticultural information about the living collections, and natural history. Training sessions are held on weekdays.
- Lead adult group tours throughout the year, especially during our peak seasons (May, June, September, and October). Docents are asked to lead one or two tours per month between April and November. Tours last approximately 90 minutes; docents commit to arriving at least 15 minutes before a tour to prepare. Opportunities for leading tours occur on both weekdays and weekends.
- After the training, continue to expand your knowledge of plants, Arboretum history, and interpretive techniques through independent study and by attending special “refreshers” and lectures for volunteers.
Required skills & abilities
- Interest in learning more about the history and plants of the Arboretum.
- Interest in the environment and enthusiasm about the importance of plants.
- Excellent communication skills; ability to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Desire to continuously gain new knowledge and share it with others.
- Ability to walk outdoors in all types of weather and lead tours two hours in length.
- Dependability and punctuality.
- Knowledge of woody plants and botany is preferred but not required.
Benefits
- Invitation to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
- Access to the resources of oldest public arboretum in North America
- Periodic free "refresher" classes and lectures on timely and interesting topics
- Free membership after 50 hours of service
- Gift certificates towards classes after 50 hours of service (restrictions apply)
- Training Notebook
The docent program is a partnership: you provide your time, commitment, and enthusiasm and the Arnold Arboretum provides rich resources and experienced staff. It is also a wonderful opportunity for self-growth and for reaching out to Arboretum visitors to communicate the importance of plants in our lives.
Spring 2007 Training
The 2007 training dates are: 4 Wednesdays, 10 am – 3 pm, April 4, 11, 18, & 25.
Attendance at new docent training is mandatory. There is no fee for the training (although many other public gardens do charge up to $75 for training materials and lecture fees). Therefore, punctuality and attendance are very important as well as commitment to the docent program. Come join us; submit your volunteer application today!