Volunteer

From Beginning Gardener to Master Gardener, there's a place for everyone.

Yew Dell has a dedicated group of volunteers with a large range of skills that help at special events or in day to day activities. We would love to have you join our group of wonderful volunteers!  Whatever your skills or experience, we have a project that could use your talent. Coming out to volunteer is a great way to meet new people, learn more about gardening, or develop a new skill. Yew Dell provides a beautiful outdoor setting to work in individually or as a group. We have opportunities that are great for novice gardeners, Master Gardeners, or even those who are not blessed with a green thumb.

Our goal is to empower all volunteers to contribute to the mission of Yew Dell while providing a rewarding and engaging experience where all contributions are valued and appreciated.

Volunteer Spotlight

Maxine adopts our Serpentine Garden, which houses the Fairy Forest, and eagerly joined our recently-created Fairy Forest Committee. She helps keep the garden beautiful and the Fairy Forest welcoming to guests of all ages.

Her creativity, passion, and delightful demeanor truly make Maxine shine at Yew Dell.

We are thrilled to honor Maxine Stoehr in this month’s Volunteer Spotlight! 

I completed the Master Gardener certification in 2017 and chose to volunteer my time at Yew Dell since it was close to my home.

Yew Dell has so many gardens to work as well as helping with the public events.

I love the Fairy Forest and Serpentine Garden.
Not only do I plant, weed and clean up the area but also make and repair fairy houses, wind chimes and holiday wreaths.

I served in the US Navy Nurse Corps during the Viet Nam era and went on the first Kentucky All Women Veterans Flight to Washington, DC last year.

Come on over to the Serpentine Garden and join fun with the fairies!

Volunteer Opportunities

Training and materials are provided for all positions. Keep in mind if you are working outside that you should wear comfortable, close-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Ongoing Opportunities

Volunteer
Orientation

Want to get involved? Join a Volunteer Orientation to learn about all the volunteer opportunities Yew Dell has to offer! Register above to receive instructions on how to sign up for an upcoming orientation.

We request reattendance of orientation if two years have lapsed since one’s last volunteer date with Yew Dell.

Click here for information regarding Youth Volunteering.

Weekly
Workdays

If you enjoy the outdoors and plants, we want you to join our team – whether beginner gardener or expert! If you want to help with a diverse range of projects, working closely with our staff, this is the opportunity for you! Needs on the grounds change seasonally, but may include specialized tasks such as pruning, plant cut back, plantings, trail work, and weeding

Orientation required

Saturday
Workdays

A tradition at Yew Dell since 2002, this opportunity allows you to get a taste of volunteering with Yew Dell. Meet our staff and other volunteers, get your hands dirty, and have a great time! Tasks may include weeding, mulching, planting, invasive removal, and more.​ Individuals, families, scouts, and groups welcome.​

Attending orientation is recommended after participating in two Saturday Workdays.

Upcoming Seasonal Opportunities

Build a
Fairy House

If you’re feeling creative, this is the opportunity for you! Sign up using the button above to receive information about building and lending Yew Dell a fairy house for the 2023 season. 

Registration will close May 31, 2023

Opening
Day

Join us as we welcome Spring and our 2023 season with our Opening Day Plant Sale on March 25, 2023.
Volunteer opportunities include Plant Hauler and Information Booth assistant.

Orientation required

Spring
Plant Sale

Join us for our biggest plant sale of the year on April 28 and 29, 2023! 
  Volunteer opportunities include Plant Hauler and Information Booth assistant.

Orientation required

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Administrative
Opportunities

Nursery
Volunteers

Volunteer
Photography

Docent
Program

Fairy
Volunteers

Woodland
Trails

Are you interested in one of the opportunities above? Contact us using the button below for more information!

Volunteer FAQs

No! We take volunteers of all skill levels and you will certainly learn while working in the gardens.

Yew Dell will provide you all the tools needed for your task, but encourages you to bring your own garden gloves. If you have a favorite hand tools (like soil knives and pruners), we encourage you to bring them, just be sure they are labeled with your name and you don’t forget them when you leave!

 Yew Dell encourages volunteers to bring their own gloves, though we do have a small stash for those that don’t bring their own (though these may contain latex). We also encourage volunteers to bring water,  a snack, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, or other items you may need for comfort while working outside. Closed-toed shoes are a requirement for all volunteering opportunities. You will receive an email before each shift with any additional notes related to your specific shift. 

Whether you are seeking service opportunities with your family, your church group, your youth organization, your school or simply on your own, we are excited to work with you to match you with appropriate activities that provide a fun and meaningful experience for you.

  • Volunteers who are ages 7-13 must have direct parent/guardian supervision.
  • Volunteers ages 14-17 may volunteer independently with a signed waiver.
  • Click here for more information.

Absolutely! If you are looking for a fun way for employees, church groups, classes, or other organizations to get involved as a group, we offer many exciting opportunities for small to large groups. Contact us using the button above to learn about current opportunities.

You can either email us using the button above or cancel using SignUp.com (the same way you signed up). To do this, you can click on the opportunity link you used to sign up, and delete your shift there. 

The majority of our volunteer opportunities occur between March and mid-December.

Absolutely! We understand that some volunteer shifts may be too long depending on the individual. Volunteers are not required to volunteer until the end of the time slot, but we request that all be present at the beginning and communicate with us if they need to leave early.

Connect with Us

Click the icon below to visit our Yew Dell Volunteers Facebook Group. Join for even more updates, stories, and fun!

Sign up for our monthly Volunteer eNews