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Volunteering
Volunteering at the Morris Arboretum can be a rewarding and stimulating experience. You will learn new skills, make new friends, and become a valued member of the extended volunteer staff. The Arboretum could not accomplish all that it does without the help of its volunteers who play an integral role in the organization. Listed below are some of the areas in need of assistance, with a contact person for each area. Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity. We hope to see you at the Arboretum soon! Volunteer is the newsletter for Morris Arboretum volunteers. Click below to download current and past issues. >>November 2009 >>October 2009 >>September 2009 >>August 2009 Garden Railway
Volunteers play a key role by welcoming visitors to the display, answering questions and helping visitors experience everything there is to see and do at the Arboretum. If you enjoy interacting with both children and adults, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Shifts are three hours in length (10 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.). Come spend a few hours at the Arboretum and experience the magic of the trains! Contact: Iana Turner - iana@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.110 
Grist Mill
The Run-of-the-Mill volunteers restore, study and teach about Springfield Mills, located along the Wissahickon on the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm. The current structure dates to 1854 and includes most of the milling components and water-powered machinery. Scheduled work-days include carpentry, masonry and clean up. Volunteers conduct research, documentation and education programs.
Bob Gutowski Guides
Play a key role at the Arboretum by welcoming visitors and leading tours for school children, families, garden clubs, and corporate friends during the week and on weekends. Experienced guides participate in a variety of continuing education programs that include ways to present the Arboretum to people with special needs and training for newly-developed tours. A training course designed specifically for new guides is offered twice a year, beginning in September and March.No previous background is necessary to become a volunteer guide, but an interest in plants, history, and ecology is important, as is an eagerness to communicate these topics to visitors. Contact: Liza Hawley - efhawley@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.128 
Horticulture
Volunteers meet every Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 12. Working as a group, they tackle a different section of the garden each week where they weed, mulch, or prune under the supervision of the Arboretum horticulture staff. During January and February the group meets indoors for workshops. No commitment is required; just come when you can. The only qualification is an interest in gardening.Contact: Iana Turner - iana@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.110 Marketing
Volunteers are needed to work with the marketing staff on the promotion of the Arboretum. Tasks include writing articles or press releases, updating press lists. Another area of need is website and technical expertise to implement interactive communication tools with our members and visitors.
Contact: Susan Crane - cranesj@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.121 Membership
Volunteers work with development office staff and assist in all aspects of membership, annual giving, and special event mailings. Tasks include labeling, stuffing, and sorting. Volunteers usually come on the same day of the week on a regular basis.Contact: Patricia Ryan - ryanpg@upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.151 Special Events
Volunteers assist at a wide variety of events including the Spring Plant Sale in May, the Big Tree Festival in October, lectures, concerts, receptions, and children's events. Activities range from guest reception and hosting to helping with children's arts and crafts activities to carpentry and traffic direction. Volunteers can participate in as many or as few events as they like. 
Visitor Services
Volunteers are our primary contact with our members and the public. They are scheduled on a regular basis to staff the visitor desk at Widener, receiving and keeping track of admission money, recording member visits, and assisting with visitor orientation. During less busy times, these volunteers help with mailings or membership records.
Contact: Adele Waerig - waerig@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext. 136 |
Morris Arboretum · 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 · 215-247-5777
