Volunteer
Volunteers grow community!
Volunteering at Yew Dell is a great way to meet new people and develop new skills in a beautiful setting. Whatever your skills or experience, we have a project that could use your talent. Training and materials are provided for all positions. Stay up to date with the volunteer program by signing up for the monthly Volunteer eNews at the bottom of this page!
Reattendance of orientation is required if two years have lapsed since one’s last volunteer date with Yew Dell.
Volunteer Matrix
To access your volunteer account to sign up for or cancel shifts, view your schedule, or review historic hours, click the button below and follow the instructions to log in.
(FAQs for Volunteer Matrix are coming soon.)
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 Opportunities
Click the tab to learn more about each opportunity. To sign up for any opportunity, please log into or create an account in Volunteer Matrix, then follow the prompts.
(FAQs for Volunteer Matrix are coming soon.)
Looking to get involved? You’re in the right place! Join us for a Volunteer Orientation session to learn about all the volunteer opportunities Yew Dell has to offer and how to join our team!
To sign up for Orientation, visit Volunteer Matrix using the button at the top of this page, create an account, and select the best orientation date for you.
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
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. Woodland Workdays occur monthly. Individuals, families, scouts, and groups welcome.
Orientation not required
Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers will assist guests with transporting their plants from the Plant Market to check out to their vehicle, then return wagons to the plant market. Volunteers assist guests with Work alongside staff to answer questions about Yew Dell Memberships and general Yew Dell information. Volunteers for this shift must be well-versed in the aforementioned information.
Orientation Required for Information Booth position.
As members of KAVA (Kentuckiana Association for Volunteer Administrators), the volunteer coordinators at Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, Waterfront Botanical Gardens, and Yew Dell have concocted a new Reciprocal Volunteer Program!
Read more!
On the dates below, we are inviting volunteers from all three participating organizations to visit, volunteer, and learn more about the host site. We hope to foster a sense of community and connection while learning about each other. Lunch will be provided by each organization, but transportation will not. Spots are very limited, so please visit the Volunteer Page of our website to sign up soon!*
- May 20: 9 am -1 :30; Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest is the host
- June 10: 9 am -1 :30; Waterfront Botanical Gardens is the host
- June 24: 9 am -1 :30; Yew Dell is the host (We’d love to have 5-10 volunteers help us welcome our guests!)
Click here to see the event series pdf.
*This opportunity is open to current Yew Dell volunteers with up-to-date orientations
Volunteer Spotlight
We are thrilled to recognize Carol Baldwin in this month’s volunteer spotlight! Carol began volunteering at Yew Dell in 2019 and has been a true boon to the team. She helps monthly with admin opportunities, working alongside our Database Assistant, Kathy, to stuff monthly membership renewal mailings. Carol is such a joy to work with and is always finding new and creative ways to support Yew Dell.
Thank YEW, Carol!
Learn more about Carol below.
How did you first get involved with Yew Dell?
I first became involved with Yew Dell as a member shortly after we moved back to Louisville. We lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida for 16 years where I worked at the VA. I had been a member of the Mounts Botanical Garden In West Palm Beach to learn about tropical gardening and orchids. I enjoyed learning from the classes they offered. Now back in Louisville I had to relearn Midwest gardening so I thought I could learn it at Yew Dell. I then decided being a volunteer would be fun to do and to learn more as well as meet people who loved to garden. My friends had no interest in gardening. They thought gardening was just hard work and why would anyone want to do it.
What surprised you the most about volunteering at Yew Dell?
What surprised me was just how friendly it is at Yew Dell. I have always from day one felt like it was important I was there. Not only me but any volunteer who is there. That also includes employees as well. It is like a family atmosphere that you are cared about and appreciated.
What has been your favorite experience at Yew Dell?
My favorite experience has always been working out in the yards because I am a true gardener at heart. I was able to do this only for a very short time however. I love to get my hands dirty and smell the fresh air. But my aging issues with back etc. does not allow me to do as much as I was accustomed to. I am so thankful I can help out in the office and do other things as well at times. I do enjoy working with Kathy. She is a joy to work with.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
What would someone be surprised to know about me? I have developed my love of gardening from my mother and grandmothers. I remember working side by side with them in their gardens with them when I was little girl. I continue to grow a sweet pea in my yard that came from the yard of my greatgrandmother.
What would you say to someone interested in volunteering at Yew Dell?
What would I say to someone interested in volunteering at Yew Dell? If you want to be at a place that makes you feel welcome and appreciated this is a place to be. A place to get a great workout for free. A place to meet interesting and nice people and maybe a friend for life.
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
Do I need experience to volunteer?
No! We take volunteers of all skill levels and you will certainly learn while working in the gardens.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
What do I need to bring?
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.
How old must you be to volunteer at Yew Dell?
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.
Can I bring a group to volunteer?
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.
How do I cancel a volunteer shift I've signed up for?
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.
When is Yew Dell's volunteer season?
The majority of our volunteer opportunities occur between March and mid-December.
I'm interestedi n volunteering, but the shift is too long. Can I still join?
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!
