Individual Volunteer Opportunities
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Volunteers contribute their time, passion, and knowledge to assist Arboretum Staff as we strive towards our mission of conservation and nature education. Opportunities are designed to get Volunteers involved in engaging programs and activities while providing a space for individual interest, growth, and education.
There are indoor, outdoor, active, and supportive activities available both weekdays and weekends at the Arboretum.
We are an approved Texas Master Naturalist Volunteer Service & Advanced Training site.
Become a Volunteer
In order join our team, prospective Volunteers must fill out an online application, attend a New Volunteer Orientation, pass a Criminal Background Check, and pay a $25 one-time processing fee. Start by filling out the Application below.
Thank you for your interest in becoming an Arboretum Volunteer. Due to the nature of our programming, many of our Volunteer Opportunities fall within the typical ‘workday’ hours on Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4 pm. For this reason, the Arboretum is only accepting applications from individuals with WEEKDAY (Monday – Friday) availability at this time.
Adult applications will close Thursday, February 16 and reopen Monday, June 5.
Summer Opportunities for Teens: Ages 13-17
This summer the Arboretum will be hosting two teen summer programs: Teen Trail Team & Nature Rangers. All activities are eligible for approved community service hours to our non-profit nature sanctuary.
Teen Trail Team
Teen Volunteers 13+, are invited to apply to participate in the Arboretum’s Teen Trail Team 2023 program!
Interested in working closely with Conservationists to maintain our 5 miles of nature trails? Want to learn how to manage native habitats? Maybe you would just like to learn more about Houston’s native ecology. Around 10 teens will be chosen to participate in the 2023 Team season. All participants will be assisting us in our conservation efforts this summer with hands-on, outdoor projects all while accumulating up to 27 hours of community service.
Projects include trail work, enhancing habitats for native animals, removing invasive species, and more. This is a good workout and way to stay active all summer long while doing good for Houston’s wild habitats. Protective equipment, tools, and instruction will be provided by Arboretum Staff.
This will be a 9-week session that takes place on Tuesday mornings from 9 am – Noon beginning Tuesday, June 6 and with the final project day on Tuesday, August 8. (There will be no Teen Trail Team Tuesday, July 4)
Teen Trail Team applications will close at Noon Friday, March 24 and the selected Teens will be notified Friday, March 31!
Nature Rangers – Arboretum Summer Camp Helpers
We are looking for a team of Teen Volunteers to join us as Nature Rangers in our education efforts at the Arboretum’s Summer Camp! Experience what goes into running nature and science classes, learn classroom management skills, and interact with children of all ages. Volunteers should be interested in working with children and families.
Naturalist staff will lead the way as students participate in daily themed experiments, nature encounters, hikes, games, and more! Volunteers require a minimum pledge of 2 camp weeks for this program and must attend an interview and orientation. You will be able to signup for both via an RSVP form after you apply.
Camp runs for 10 weeks from June 5 to August 11; 8:30 to 3:30 pm M-F
Volunteers must sign up for whole weeks (5 days) at a time.
Interview Dates
Sunday, April 2
Saturday, April 29
Saturday, May 6
Orientation Dates
Thursday, May 11
Saturday, May 13
Saturday, May 20
Nature Ranger applications open Friday, February 17. The application deadline has been extended and will now close at Noon on Friday, April 7.
Click here for more information on Group Volunteer Opportunities.
