Assist with grounds maintenance

Sections of prairie and plantings will be marked and made available for individuals or families to “adopt.” During the growing season, the section will be maintained, including weeding, watering, planting, or transplanting as needed. Can involve collecting and cleaning seeds.

Greenhouse work

During the spring and fall, transplanting needs to be done in preparation for plant sales. Watering of all plants is needed, particularly on weekends. Could involve cleaning and packaging of wildflower seeds during the fall and winter.

Assist with newsletter

A newsletter is printed three times a year: March/April, August, October/November. Help is needed with folding about 2,500 copies and preparing for mailing.

Snow removal

The college’s snow removal equipment is available for clearing of walks, drives, and parking lots. On call schedule as needed, depending upon timing and amount of snowfall.

Label making

New plantings need to be identified, making use of engraved plastic labels to match the existing identification system. Flexible schedule.

Staff gift shop

Between April 15 and October 15, help is needed to staff the gift shop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Market expanded use of facilities

The visitor center meeting room and kitchen, as well as outdoor areas, are available for family gatherings, weddings, receptions, parties, reunions, etc. A specific assignment will be to scan area newspapers for engagement announcements and send a congratulatory note inviting consideration of using the arboretum facilities, both inside and out, for some of the celebration activities. Can be done at home on a flexible schedule.

Assist with special events

Help is needed to prepare for and manage special events, most of which are on a regular schedule throughout the year. These include a booth at the Wichita Garden Show in March; plant sales at the arboretum in May and September; Kansas Sampler in May; and the Luminary Walk in December. Other special events may be organized at other times as opportunities arise.

Assist with children’s activities

Arboretum staff conduct educational sessions for young children. Adults are needed to provide supervision and “crowd control.”

Mowing of grounds

During the growing season, a regular mowing schedule needs to be maintained as directed by staff.

To express your interest in the volunteer positions above…

send an e-mail to Bill Zuercher, indicating that you are interested in volunteering to help at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains. Specify which job interests you. Please include your name, address and phone number.