Volunteer Opportunities

The garden offers new opportunities to get involved with the community, meet new people, and learn more about gardening in our mountain environment. Volunteers and members assure the continued excellence of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens through their hard work and financial support.

Here are just a few of the 2008-09 Volunteer activities that support a great community project. Call the Garden office (970-476-0103) to let us know how you can help or for more information.

Volunteer Gardeners (May through September) Work in the Gardens on Monday and/or Thursday mornings between 9:00 a.m. and noon, or as part of the Saturday garden workshops. No previous garden experience necessary. A great learning opportunity. Volunteer training is offered in May.

Garden Docents (June through Labor Day) Guide visitors through the Gardens on scheduled Monday, Thursday and/or Saturday morning tours at 10:30 a.m. or for special group tours. Learn history of the Gardens as well as more about the plant collection and our mountain environment.

The Schoolhouse Gift Shop (June through Labor Day) Volunteer a few hours each week in our Schoolhouse Gift Shop, a historic 1922 one-room school now maintained as a museum. Greet visitors and sell garden/wildflower books and gift items. Learn about the early history of the Vail Valley. The shop is open 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. every day. Also volunteer opportunities are available at our 'Alpine Treasures Gift Shop' in Vail Village.

Membership Outreach (year round) Help to expand our membership by hosting or organizing neighborhood gatherings to present information about Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, its programs, and educational opportunities.

Environmental Action (year round) Join our Adopt-A-Rare-Plant project, a joint program with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to identify and monitor rare plants in Eagle County and provide valuable information for state conservation.

Office Support (year round) Help in our office located below The Sitzmark Lodge: BG database and plant labeling, library cataloging, newsletter publication, preparation of bulk mailings, response to phone/mail inquiries.

Events/Workshops/Lectures (year round) Some events offer fund raising opportunities, while others are purely educational. All provide excellent PR for the Gardens. Many are well established in the community--The Spirit of Betty Ford Award which recognizes an active member of the community, Butterfly Launch for Eagle County third graders, and the Annual Plant Sale.. New ideas are always welcome.