Volunteers
Volunteers are a vital part of our mission to engage the community and keep the garden free for everyone to enjoy! If you'd like to volunteer with the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, and join our lively and dedicated group of more than 150 volunteers, many of whom are involved in multiple ways, please complete our volunteer application.
Garden Greeters
During the garden season on weekends, our Garden Greeters are stationed under the tent near the entrance to welcome visitors, answer questions, and collect donations. Greeters sign up for 2-hour shifts, and new greeters are always paired with experienced volunteers. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours and even more fun with a friend! You will be trained on your first shift by an experienced greeter.
During the garden season on weekends, our Garden Greeters are stationed under the tent near the entrance to welcome visitors, answer questions, and collect donations. Greeters sign up for 2-hour shifts, and new greeters are always paired with experienced volunteers. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours and even more fun with a friend! You will be trained on your first shift by an experienced greeter.
Garden Docents
Our Docents lead public and private tours of the gardens focusing on either history or horticulture. After orientation, they learn about the gardens by reading historical documents in our database and by shadowing experienced docents as they give tours. Horticulture docent training is specialized and offered every 2 to 3 years. While our public tours are primarily scheduled on Sundays, private tours may be scheduled any day of the week.
Our Docents lead public and private tours of the gardens focusing on either history or horticulture. After orientation, they learn about the gardens by reading historical documents in our database and by shadowing experienced docents as they give tours. Horticulture docent training is specialized and offered every 2 to 3 years. While our public tours are primarily scheduled on Sundays, private tours may be scheduled any day of the week.
School Tour Docents
Our School Tour Docents lead groups of school children on tours focused on the senses, adventure, mythology, or history. School Tour docents are trained to by attending group learning sessions and shadowing experienced docents. Retired school teachers are especially suited for leading these tours, but anyone with interest and desire to reveal the wonder of Untermyer Gardens to school-aged children are encouraged to join. School tours are scheduled primarily on weekday mornings, and are concentrated in April, May, and June.
Our School Tour Docents lead groups of school children on tours focused on the senses, adventure, mythology, or history. School Tour docents are trained to by attending group learning sessions and shadowing experienced docents. Retired school teachers are especially suited for leading these tours, but anyone with interest and desire to reveal the wonder of Untermyer Gardens to school-aged children are encouraged to join. School tours are scheduled primarily on weekday mornings, and are concentrated in April, May, and June.
Gardening Class --3/16/26 CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY
Gardening class is currently full. If you'd like to attend volunteer gardening, please complete a volunteer application and request an interview (below). We will reopen the class when space permits. New volunteers must request an interview (see below). This hands-on gardening practicum on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from March through December will allow you to hone your gardening skills working in the gardens, as well as helping and learning from our hardworking crew of professional gardeners. It's a fun, sociable morning with a great bunch of gardening enthusiasts. Participants must commit to 2 sessions per month and must attend the full session, from 9 am-12 pm. Annual tuition of $25.
To arrange an interview with Volunteer Coordinator Maura May, please complete a volunteer application and schedule a 15-minute call HERE.
Gardening class is currently full. If you'd like to attend volunteer gardening, please complete a volunteer application and request an interview (below). We will reopen the class when space permits. New volunteers must request an interview (see below). This hands-on gardening practicum on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from March through December will allow you to hone your gardening skills working in the gardens, as well as helping and learning from our hardworking crew of professional gardeners. It's a fun, sociable morning with a great bunch of gardening enthusiasts. Participants must commit to 2 sessions per month and must attend the full session, from 9 am-12 pm. Annual tuition of $25.
To arrange an interview with Volunteer Coordinator Maura May, please complete a volunteer application and schedule a 15-minute call HERE.
Grand Holiday Illumination
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination is a Westchester tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Each year, many individuals, families, and community groups staff the Welcome Table to give out free hot chocolate, answer questions, and collect donations.
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination is a Westchester tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Each year, many individuals, families, and community groups staff the Welcome Table to give out free hot chocolate, answer questions, and collect donations.
