Volunteer with the CGC

Get your hands dirty doing something that matters.

Welcome to a community that values our natural world—and embraces the important work of caring for it. Whether you’re restoring our urban forests or propagating native plants, transforming a community garden or facilitating a school field trip, when you volunteer with the Civic Garden Center, you’re part of something bigger. Did we mention you’ll have fun, meet like-minded people, and learn a lot, too? Active volunteers can also take some of our classes for free or at a discount. (And yes, we welcome groups!)

There are three steps to volunteering with the CGC.

Step 1: Find Your Team(s)

Our work here at the CGC is varied, so there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers of all interests and skill levels. We group our volunteer roles into a few broad buckets. Click on the options below to learn about each.

The Horticulture Team works to maintain our grounds, Hauck Botanic Gardens, and run our native plant propagation program. This team is perfect for gardeners of all skill levels looking to enhance their gardening knowledge. Whether you’re totally new to gardening or have many years of experience and are looking for a new challenge, this team is for you!
Responsibilities: Transplanting, planting, weeding, pruning, invasive species removal, watering, seed collection, seed cleaning, and other garden maintenance tasks. Workdays vary widely depending on the season. It’s rare that any two workdays are the same!
Commitment: Workdays take place Friday mornings from 9am to 12pm or Saturday mornings as scheduled. We ask that you attend an average of at least one event per month to be considered an active volunteer on this team.
Necessary Skills: No prior gardening or horticultural skills are required. The ability to kneel and use hand tools is recommended but not required. Propagation experience is welcomed but not required.
Things to Bring: Gloves if you have them, a water bottle, and a favorite gardening trowel/pair of pruners. Closed-toe shoes are required. We will provide all tools and materials required for these workdays.
Opportunities & Benefits: Hands-on training is provided during all workdays. CGC classes and workshops are also available to active volunteers (who attend an average of at least one horticulture event per month or six events across teams per year) for free or at a reduced cost; our monthly Volunteer HQ email contains details.
Leadership Positions: Nursery Manager, Garden Curator, Plant Recorder, Garden Advisory Committee Board Member (in progress). If you’re interested in a leadership position, please reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org to learn more.
REGISTER NOW!
The Conservation Team helps with off-site restoration projects managed by the CGC and other Cincinnati-area partners. The main focus is removing and managing invasive species and replanting native plants. Projects primarily involve managing forested spaces but may include prairie installations as well. If you love being out in the woods or working to preserve local ecosystems, this team will be a great fit for you.
Responsibilities: Invasive species removal (using hand tools), trail maintenance, monitoring ongoing restoration sites, planting native plants and trees.
Commitment: Workdays take place primarily on weekends as scheduled; locations vary. We ask that you participate in at least three CGC-led conservation events per year to be considered an active volunteer on this team.
Necessary Skills: No prior conservation skills are required. Plant identification and/or invasive removal experience is welcomed but not required.
Things to Bring: Gloves, handsaw, loppers, and a water bottle. Closed-toe shoes are required; pants and long sleeves are highly recommended for this work. We will provide all tools and materials required for these workdays.
Opportunities & Benefits: Hands-on training is provided during workdays. Additional conservation trainings will be offered to active volunteers as scheduled. CGC classes are also available to active volunteers (who attend at least three CGC-led conservation events or six events across teams per year) for free or at a reduced cost; our monthly Volunteer HQ email contains details.
Leadership Positions: Herbicide Applicator, Volunteer Group Leader, Invasive Removal Pro, Site Monitor. If you’re interested in a leadership position, please reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org to learn more.
REGISTER NOW!
The Urban Ag Team supports offsite community gardens and urban farms who need volunteer assistance. The team works with garden leaders in the CGC’s Community Gardens program to maintain the garden and develop garden infrastructure, such as compost bins and rainwater harvesting systems, as needed. Each workday differs depending on the garden’s needs. This team is great for those passionate about local food production or growing their own food.
Responsibilities: Weeding, harvesting, planting, pruning, turning compost, and other garden maintenance tasks.
Commitment: Workdays primarily take place on weekends as scheduled; locations vary. We ask that you attend an average of at least one event per month from June to September to be considered an active volunteer for this team.
Necessary Skills: Vegetable gardening experience is welcomed but not required. We will provide training at the beginning of each workday along with the Community Garden Coordinator.
Things to Bring: Gloves if you have them and a water bottle. Closed-toe shoes are required; pants are highly recommended for this work. We will provide all tools and materials required for these workdays.
Opportunities & Benefits: Hands-on training is provided during workdays. Additional vegetable gardening skills are offered in community gardens throughout the growing season to active volunteers. CGC classes are also available to active volunteers (who attend an average of at least one event per month from June to September or six events across teams per year) for free or at a reduced cost; our monthly Volunteer HQ email contains details.
Leadership Positions: Garden Construction Crew, Volunteer Group Leader. If you’re interested in a leadership position, please reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org to learn more.
REGISTER NOW!
The Education Team facilitates field trips at the CGC and leads programming on school campuses throughout the Cincinnati area. Programs include Compost Kids (grades 1-4), Green Teens Challenges (grades 7-12), and Green Teens Field Studies (grades 7-12). If you’re passionate about educating the next generation on environmental issues, or if you’re a student looking to become an environmental educator, this team is a perfect fit for you!
Responsibilities: Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to any scheduled field trip or educational event, lead groups of approximately 10-15 students, assist in greeting students and helping them navigate our site, notify staff if you are unable to attend as scheduled.
Commitment: Weekday mornings as scheduled, primarily Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additional monthly school club programs in the afternoons and summer camp days. We ask that you participate in an average of two programs per month to be considered an active volunteer for this team.
Necessary Skills: Volunteers must attend trainings sessions specific to each educational opportunity pass a background check prior to becoming a facilitator. Basic knowledge of science, a passion for education, and a desire to work with adolescents are strongly recommended.
Things to Bring: An open mind and your curiosity! All program materials will be provided.
Opportunities & Benefits: Hands-on training is provided prior to field trips and programs. CGC classes are also available to active volunteers (who participate in an average of at least two programs per month) for free or at a reduced cost; our monthly Volunteer HQ email contains details.
Leadership Positions: Green Teens Volunteer Coordinator, Green Teens Lead Judge, Green Teens Database Manager. If you’re interested in a leadership position, please reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org to learn more.
REGISTER NOW!
The Events & Outreach Team helps plan and execute events and programs that raise awareness about the CGC and further its mission to build community. These include existing events, such as the Spring and Fall Plant Festivals and the Holiday Open House, as well as other events hosted by the CGC. The Events & Outreach Team is perfect for you if you enjoy event planning, fundraising in support of events, or working with staff to execute events.
Responsibilities: Attend planning meetings and CGC events when your schedule allows, assist in community outreach on behalf of the CGC, and actively participate in the execution of events when your schedule allows.
Commitment: Events take place as scheduled throughout the year. We ask that you attend meetings when possible and participate in at least one major CGC event per year to be considered an active volunteer for this group.
Necessary Skills: A willingness to work as part of a team is a must! A passion for planning and executing events is encouraged. Skill or interest in working with local partners and organizations to solicit donations to support events is welcomed.
Things to Bring: An open mind and a willingness to work alongside fellow volunteers!
Opportunities & Benefits: CGC classes are available to active volunteers (who attend planning meetings when possible and participate in at least one major CGC event per year) for free or at a reduced cost; our monthly Volunteer HQ email contains details.
Leadership Positions: Event Lead, Community Outreach Liason, Fundraiser Extraordinaire. If you’re interested in a leadership position, please reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org to learn more.
REGISTER NOW!

Step 2: Register as a New Volunteer

If you haven’t registered yet, click the button below and fill out a new volunteer registration form. Check the boxes for any of the areas that appeal to you, and we’ll make sure to keep you in the loop about those.

Step 3: Show Up!

Now that you're registered, you’re ready to start signing up for volunteer events! You can find out about them in two ways:

Check our calendar periodically.

Watch your inbox for our Volunteer HQ email, which goes out in the second half of the month. (No need to sign up. We’ll make sure you start getting this email after you register, though you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Check event listings for directions, what to bring, and any other relevant information. Then...pick an opportunity and show up!