Volunteers can work as gardeners, animal caretakers, educational tour guides, and special events, operations, and office support
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – The Wonder Gardens is looking for volunteers in a variety of areas at the 85-year-old attraction in Bonita Springs. Opportunities are available indoors and outdoors for high school, college students, and adults. Teenagers under age 16 must volunteer with a parent or guardian.
“Our volunteers are our lifeblood,” said David Rahahe Webb, president, and CEO of the Wonder Gardens. “From November 2020 to April 2021, our volunteers contributed a total of 2,363 hours, which is a value of $67,440. As we expand our exhibits and education programs, we need additional volunteers to keep our gardens growing.”
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Horticulture / Gardening: Volunteers weed, pot, dig, prune, sweep, clear debris and relocate plants. Minimum shift: 2 hours.
- Animal Care: Help distribute food and water to wildlife and help keep the wildlife enclosures and pools clean. Minimum shift: 4 hours. Volunteers must be 18 or older and must be available at least once a week for a minimum of 12 weeks.
- Education Docents: These specially trained volunteers give tours to members and guests.
- Office Support: Volunteers are needed to write, take photos and video, graphic design and create presentations. Work is mostly indoors in the Wonder Gardens office and sometimes from volunteers’ homes offices or campus.
- Operations/Facilities: Volunteers help the Operations staff maintain and clean the Gardens. Minimum shift: 4 hours.
- Special Events: Volunteers help register guests, interact with the public and tell people about the Gardens. Volunteers also help with children’s activities and monitor groups of school children during educational programs.
Interviews for high school and adult volunteers are held on the second to last Thursday of each month. Training is conducted online, and orientations are held on the first Thursday of every month.
To get involved visit wondergardens.org/volunteers-interns/ for an application or contact the volunteer manager, Jessi Drummond, jessi@wondergardens.org.
About Wonder Gardens
The Wonder Gardens, a charitable zoological park and botanical garden in Bonita Springs, is home to rescued birds and reptiles nestled among sprawling banyan trees and plantings. While preserving the best of this site’s 85-year history, the non-profit cares for more than 300 resident animals, is upgrading wildlife enclosures and growing the botanical beauty of the property, while delivering education programs and events and further engaging the community to enjoy this jewel in historic Downtown Bonita Springs. The Wonder Gardens at 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs is one of the few remaining cornerstones of Old Florida, an enduring symbol of the history of the region, as well as a resource for learning about the environment and wildlife. For information, visit wondergardens.org or call 239-992-2591.
