Volunteer
At the Green Center, volunteers are highly appreciated and recognized for their efforts. We take your interests and time constraints very seriously. Many volunteers contribute their skills and time because they support the mission of the organization, others just because they enjoy their volunteer activities. The Center's outdoor spaces are often an inspiration for artists, photographers, gardeners, birders and people who are looking for a tranquil experience. We encourage families, individuals and school groups to get involved in our outdoor activities. We offer one-time as well as on-going volunteer opportunities.
*Comment section:
In the form below, please include the following information in the comment box:
What days/times are you available to help?
What are your areas of interest?
Outdoor: Restoring wildlife habitat, plant propagation, leading interpretive walks (training provided), gardening, other (please specify).
Indoor: Fund raising, grant writing, assisting with art exhibits, cultural programs, serving on a working group (education, marketing, facilities, cultural arts, etc), office assistance (mailings, filing, archiving, etc.), computer assistance (website design/maintenance) or other (please specify).
In the form below, please include the following information in the comment box:
What days/times are you available to help?
What are your areas of interest?
Outdoor: Restoring wildlife habitat, plant propagation, leading interpretive walks (training provided), gardening, other (please specify).
Indoor: Fund raising, grant writing, assisting with art exhibits, cultural programs, serving on a working group (education, marketing, facilities, cultural arts, etc), office assistance (mailings, filing, archiving, etc.), computer assistance (website design/maintenance) or other (please specify).
Volunteer Internships
The Green Center has internship opportunities on a seasonal basis for high school and college students.
In the Garden & Woods
Wildlife Habitat Restoration
Removal of Invasive Plant Species - Assist in the removal of invasive species from The Green Center’s prairie, wetland, and woodland eco-systems. Invasive species will gradually suppress the diversity of native plants and indirectly eliminate their pollinators. The removal of invasive species allows native plants to re-emerge and establish themselves, particularly in our woodland areas. This is an extremely important activity that brings the visible and rewarding results.
Plant Propagation/Transplanting
Learn to propagate Missouri native plants. Work with experienced Master Gardeners, Green Center staff, and enthusiastic volunteers. Minimal physical labor is required. Winter activities include starting and tending to a seedling nursery in the green house. Assistance watering our green house plants is welcome and appreciated. Mid to late spring activities involve separating seedlings into small pots.
Planting and Caretaking
Plant seedlings and mature plants in Green Center outdoor learning spaces. Monitor plantings to be sure they’re receiving enough water. Most planting takes place during April, May, and early June. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow gardeners while helping to enhance biodiversity in the middle of an urban area.
Demonstration Gardens
Assist in the removal of invasive species, seed collecting, planting and care taking within the Roger Pryor Prairie Garden, Woodland Garden, Ozark Endemic Garden, and Herb Garden. Find out how you can introduce native plants into your own garden and attract butterflies and birds. Enjoy working alongside other learning gardens volunteers. The results are rewarding and the experience always involves observations of butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
Seed Collecting
Assist experienced prairie gardeners in collecting seeds produced by Missouri native plant species in The Green Center’s outdoor learning spaces. Learn to identify the native plant species, what their seeds look like, and how they are dispersed. Collected seeds are used to propagate additional plants for The Green Center's outdoor spaces. Seed collecting is done periodically between late spring and late fall.
Group Leader or Co-Leader
Restoring wildlife habitat is an on-going activity in the prairie, wetland, and woods and requires experienced volunteers. At times, the herb garden may need a good weeding, watering or trimming. Groups do well when lead by experienced and knowledgeable leaders who are comfortable with the activity and understand how to guide and supervise. Education is always a component of these outings. Be a co-leader and learn how to lead outdoor work groups by assisting experienced leaders on several group activities.
Outdoor Classroom
Instructor/Assistant Instructor
Work with our Program Coordinator to teach outdoor programs to a variety of different ages. Trainings are provided for these outdoor, nature and art focused programs.
It is so gratifying to see the look on children's faces, or adults, when they are surprised by things they see and learn in the Green Center’s outdoor classrooms. Enjoy the outdoors through different seasons and learn the magic they have to offer in our prairie, wetland, forest and garden classrooms!
The Green Center has internship opportunities on a seasonal basis for high school and college students.
In the Garden & Woods
Wildlife Habitat Restoration
Removal of Invasive Plant Species - Assist in the removal of invasive species from The Green Center’s prairie, wetland, and woodland eco-systems. Invasive species will gradually suppress the diversity of native plants and indirectly eliminate their pollinators. The removal of invasive species allows native plants to re-emerge and establish themselves, particularly in our woodland areas. This is an extremely important activity that brings the visible and rewarding results.
Plant Propagation/Transplanting
Learn to propagate Missouri native plants. Work with experienced Master Gardeners, Green Center staff, and enthusiastic volunteers. Minimal physical labor is required. Winter activities include starting and tending to a seedling nursery in the green house. Assistance watering our green house plants is welcome and appreciated. Mid to late spring activities involve separating seedlings into small pots.
Planting and Caretaking
Plant seedlings and mature plants in Green Center outdoor learning spaces. Monitor plantings to be sure they’re receiving enough water. Most planting takes place during April, May, and early June. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow gardeners while helping to enhance biodiversity in the middle of an urban area.
Demonstration Gardens
Assist in the removal of invasive species, seed collecting, planting and care taking within the Roger Pryor Prairie Garden, Woodland Garden, Ozark Endemic Garden, and Herb Garden. Find out how you can introduce native plants into your own garden and attract butterflies and birds. Enjoy working alongside other learning gardens volunteers. The results are rewarding and the experience always involves observations of butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
Seed Collecting
Assist experienced prairie gardeners in collecting seeds produced by Missouri native plant species in The Green Center’s outdoor learning spaces. Learn to identify the native plant species, what their seeds look like, and how they are dispersed. Collected seeds are used to propagate additional plants for The Green Center's outdoor spaces. Seed collecting is done periodically between late spring and late fall.
Group Leader or Co-Leader
Restoring wildlife habitat is an on-going activity in the prairie, wetland, and woods and requires experienced volunteers. At times, the herb garden may need a good weeding, watering or trimming. Groups do well when lead by experienced and knowledgeable leaders who are comfortable with the activity and understand how to guide and supervise. Education is always a component of these outings. Be a co-leader and learn how to lead outdoor work groups by assisting experienced leaders on several group activities.
Outdoor Classroom
Instructor/Assistant Instructor
Work with our Program Coordinator to teach outdoor programs to a variety of different ages. Trainings are provided for these outdoor, nature and art focused programs.
It is so gratifying to see the look on children's faces, or adults, when they are surprised by things they see and learn in the Green Center’s outdoor classrooms. Enjoy the outdoors through different seasons and learn the magic they have to offer in our prairie, wetland, forest and garden classrooms!