Volunteer opportunity: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Courtesy

Want to keep up your New Year’s resolution to volunteer more? This is the fourth in a weekly, seven-part series to help you get involved. Read on to see what organizations could use your help.

Spring is right around the corner, which means the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is looking for volunteers.

Mary Bess Mulhollan has volunteered at the botanical garden since it first opened. Today she helps organize the annual volunteer potluck and thank you dinner to honor the garden’s most dedicated volunteers and is a tour guide.

Mulhollan said she sticks around because of the friends she’s made while volunteering at the garden.

“We’re all proud of the garden, so when groups come we like to show it off,” Mulhollan said.

Mulhollan said there’s always a need for new volunteers – especially in the horticulture category. She said professionals help interested volunteers learn how to properly plant and landscape, which is a bonus.

Mulhollan said there isn’t a minimum amount of hours a week that volunteers need to help out. There are small awards along the way, such as gardening gloves, for those who put in a significant amount of volunteering hours.

Those interested in volunteering must fill out the volunteer application form located at bgozarks.org and bring it to the botanical garden office or call Judy Smith at 479-750-2620 to schedule a visit.

The benefits of volunteering at the garden include working and learning with knowledgeable people, attending volunteer recognition events, helping develop the visitor services program and being a part of making the garden a treasured community resource, according the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks garden host reference manual.