Volunteering
Do you love the outdoors and community work? You can combine both as a Gardens volunteer doing activities like:
If you want to join the Botanic Gardens’ Volunteer Program, you can express your interest in becoming a volunteer by filling out our online application form.(PDF, 255KB) If you have any ideas to bring to our team, please contact us on (07) 4971 4444.
Friends of the Gardens
Volunteering can be a great way to meet new friends, gain new skills, explore new hobbies, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or simply explore nature. As a Friend of the Gardens, you can participate in many areas of the Gardens’ life, including:
- Bonsai maintenance, lessons and sessions
- Guided tours for visitors and schools
- Children’s activities (e.g. School Holiday activities, Lessons in the Gardens)
- Community events (e.g. World Bonsai Weekend, Ecofest)
- Field trips to collect plant specimens for the Gardens/Herbarium.
There are many events that take place in the Gardens throughout the year. Friends of the Gardens provide valuable assistance in helping make these events a success.
Friends of Bonsai
Bonsai is the ancient art of shaping trees into potted miniatures that mirror majestic full-size trees.
Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens has been home to the Friends of Bonsai group since 2018. Tondoon is now also home to the 友情(Yūjō) Bonsai House which displays many of our unique bonsai specimens.
Volunteers can learn about how to create and care for a bonsai, meet new people and help throughout the year at various bonsai themed events held at, and on behalf of, the Gardens.
You can participate in a range of Bonsai themed activities, including helping to maintain established bonsais that are part of the Gardens' collection, greeting and assisting visitors with bonsai information at the 友情(Yūjō) Bonsai House and attending educational demos by visiting bonsai artists.
Herbarium Volunteers
Become part of Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens’ legacy and contribute to the research and documentation of our unique Curtis Coast flora. By becoming part of the Herbarium Volunteer team, you will gain hands-on experience with local plants. The Gardens’ Curator leads regular field trips to collect new plant specimens and helps you to learn more about the unique ecosystems in the region. Herbarium volunteers play a vital role in drying and pressing specimens, recording plant data, and assisting with local plant identification. Having basic plant identification knowledge is recommended.
Visitor Services
Visitor Services Volunteers help us showcase the world-class native plants and habitats on display to the public. Gardens tours enhance a guest’s experience by providing visitors with a wealth of knowledge about Queensland’s native plant-life and the Gardens history. You can inform guests of scientific facts about a variety of plants and animals, as well as educate visitors about the history and stories behind them. All volunteers are provided with the appropriate training and support so that they become confident and capable. Visitor Service Volunteers also assist with School Holiday Activities, Lessons in the Gardens and Community Events.
Children’s Activities
Teach the up-and-coming generation about the importance of our Botanic Gardens. You can volunteer to help pass on knowledge, teaching children about the plants, wildlife and ecosystems. Children enjoy activities as part of their school curriculum and with their own families in their own time. Volunteers provide a great wealth of knowledge and assistance to the children. So, if you enjoy education and play, this is the volunteer group for you.
School Holiday Activities
During the school holidays, the Gardens host various activities for children of all ages to enjoy. Events are hosted by the Gardens staff and local artists. As a volunteer, you can provide event assistance, or even host events during school holidays.
Lessons in the Gardens
This program allows students to experience the Gardens as an outdoor classroom. Each lesson includes an informational tour showcasing a number of plants within the Gardens and provides a memorable way to connect children with nature.
Community Events at the Gardens
Each year, Tondoon plays host to various events, including EcoFest, World Bonsai Weekend, National Threatened Species Day and various other community-led initiatives. Visit the What’s On page to find out more.