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!

Visitor Education Volunteer Training

3 Saturdays, March 17, 24, 31: 1:30-3:30pm and
2 Tuesdays and 2 Thursdays, March 20, 22, 27, 29: 7pm-9pm

Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to become Visitor Education Volunteers and make a positive contribution to the Arboretum and the community at large.

Get behind-the-scenes training that will help you make every visitor's experience the best possible. Learn from Arboretum staff and experienced volunteers how to uncover the sources of all Arboretum knowledge. Meet the nicest people: Visitors at the Morris Arboretum!

The class will take a “subject related” tour of the Arboretum every Saturday, please dress appropriately.

For more information about the program call 215- 247-5777 ext. 128.

Members: Free
Non-members: $60 for one-year, individual membership

Register for Training

Volunteers assist in garden maintenance projects. They meet weekly from mid-March through mid-December. Each week the group rotates throughout the entire Arboretum grounds working in a variety of terrains. Together as a group, they tackle a number of physical garden tasks such as weeding, mulching, pruning or invasive removal under the supervision of the Arboretum horticulture staff. Previous gardening experience helpful, but not required.  Please call for further information.

Contact: Pam Morris Olshefski - pamela@upenn.edu or
215-247-5777 ext.188

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

Have fun while lending a helping hand at special events such as the spring Plant Sale and Fall Festival.  Volunteers assist in a variety of ways such as checking out plants at the sale and helping with children’s arts and crafts activities.  Most of these events occur on weekends.  If you would like to be contacted as these events are approaching to see if they work with your schedule, please send an email to the staff contact listed below.

Contact: Michelle Conners- mconners@upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.109

Contact: Patricia Ryan - ryanpg@upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.151

Play a key role at the Arboretum by welcoming visitors and leading tours for school children, families, and adult groups. A course designed specifically for new guides is offered every spring. No previous background knowledge is necessary, but an interest in plants, history and ecology is important, as is an eagerness to communicate these topics to visitors.

Please check back in December 2011 for dates and times of the next guide training course.

Contact: Liza Hawley - efhawley@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.128

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.

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.

Contacts:
Robert Anderson
randerso@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext. 108

Bob Gutowski
gutowski@exchange.upenn.edu or 215-247-5777 ext.132