Do you enjoy gardening? Are you fascinated by the beauty of nature and diversity of native plants? Would you like to learn more about the naturalistic style of gardening and environmentally-responsible gardening practices? Mt. Cuba Center is seeking enthusiastic individuals to volunteer with our knowledgeable professional staff and explore the fascinating world of naturalistic gardening. Your support will help to insure that our gardens continue to be enjoyed by the public for years to come.

Volunteer Position Descriptions:

Dogwood Path and West Slope

Assist the horticulturist along the shaded paths surrounding the meadow. Spring activities are planting, mulching and watering new plants. Assist in the general weeding, dead-heading, and grooming of naturalistic plantings. Learn to groom and transplant moss on the moss bank.

Pond Garden

Assist the horticulturist in the maintenance of flower beds surrounding the ponds and sphagnum bog garden. Help in planting, mulching, and watering new plants. Aid the gardener with weeding and grooming of perennial beds, grassy pond edges, and moss borders.

Woods Path Garden

Learn about the design, maintenance, and cultivation of native shade plants while assisting the horticulturist with general maintenance to include planting, transplanting, mulching, grooming, and weeding.

Meadow

Support the naturalistic sunny meadow. Activities include planting, watering, and mulching of grasses and perennial plants. Assist the horticulturist with weeding, grooming, and dead-heading of shrubs and wildflowers at the meadow’s edge. 

Rock and Scree Gardens

Assist the horticulturist in maintaining the rock and scree gardens. Duties include planting and general garden maintenance.  

Formal Gardens

Assist the horticulturist in the sunny garden beds surrounding the Main House and pool where native plants are used in a formal manner. Aid in the change of seasonal displays and maintenance of flower beds and container plantings.

Entrance Landscape Garden

Support the horticulturist in maintaining the landscape bordering the main drive and entrance to Mt. Cuba Center. Learn about the design of the garden and assist in horticultural activities including planting, mulching, weeding, and pruning.

Plant Records

Support the plant recorder in record keeping and basic plant information research. Attention to detail and basic computer skills are a must. Activities will include mapping, label production, data entry, and information gathering. This opportunity is ideal for anyone looking to expand their plant knowledge through study.

Greenhouse

Support greenhouse staff in the production of native plant crops for the garden and the natural lands. Help with the cleaning, preparation, and sowing of wild collected seeds. Other duties include record keeping, transplanting, and general plant maintenance

Volunteer Positions:  We currently do not have any openings for volunteer positions but will take applications for consideration.  Please review this page in the near future for postings.

How to become a volunteer?

Clik here to access the On-line Application .  View and print a blank application:  Volunteer Application Form . Or call 302.239.4244 and one will be mailed to you. Volunteers must meet certain requirements - these are listed in the application.

To find out more, contact:

Julia Lo Ehrhardt
jehrhardt@mtcubacenter.org or 302.239.4244, ext. 234
Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.