Horticulture Positions

Main Zoo Gardening

Application Status: CLOSED
Mid-April–October
Time Commitment: Once a week
Shifts: Wednesday–Saturday from 8–11 a.m.

Volunteer gardeners at Lincoln Park Zoo make a positive, immediate, and restorative contribution to the main zoo each day as they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in this ornamental gardening landscape. Along the way, they also share their enthusiasm, enjoy easy camaraderie, and graciously inspire zoo guests—helping everyone connect to nature.

Volunteers Must:

• Attend a day-long zoo orientation
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be comfortable in a collaborative environment and adhere to zoo policies, procedures, and guest-service standards
• Be comfortable traversing zoo grounds in hot and humid weather conditions
• Be able to stand, sit, bend, kneel, and walk on uneven terrain
• Complete an online application
• Pass a standard criminal background check
• Be fully vaccinated (per CDC guidelines) for COVID-19

Nature Boardwalk Gardening

Application Status: CLOSED
Mid-April–October
Time Commitment: Once a week
Shifts: Wednesday–Saturday from 8–11 a.m.

Volunteer gardeners at Lincoln Park Zoo make a positive, immediate, and restorative contribution to Nature Boardwalk each day as they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in this native prairie landscape. Along the way, they also share their enthusiasm, enjoy easy camaraderie, and graciously inspire zoo guests—helping everyone connect to nature.

Volunteers Must:

• Attend a day-long zoo orientation
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be comfortable in a collaborative environment and adhere to zoo policies, procedures, and guest-service standards
• Be comfortable traversing zoo grounds in hot and humid weather conditions
• Be able to stand, sit, bend, kneel, and walk on uneven terrain
• Complete an online application
• Pass a standard criminal background check
• Be fully vaccinated (per CDC guidelines) for COVID-19

Farm-in-the-Zoo Gardening

Application Status: CLOSED
Mid-April–October
Time Commitment: Once a week
Shifts: Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays from 9 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

Volunteer gardeners at Lincoln Park Zoo make a positive, immediate, and productive contribution to the Edible Garden each day as they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in this 5,000-square-foot organic vegetable garden located at Farm-in-the-Zoo. Along the way, they also share their enthusiasm, enjoy easy camaraderie, and graciously inspire zoo guests—helping everyone connect to growing food.

Volunteers Must:

• Attend a day-long zoo orientation
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be comfortable in a collaborative environment and adhere to zoo policies, procedures, and guest-service standards
• Be comfortable standing and traversing zoo grounds in hot and humid weather conditions
• Be able to stand, sit, bend, kneel, and walk on uneven terrain
• Complete an online application
• Complete an interview and brief presentation
• Pass a standard criminal background check
• Be fully vaccinated (per CDC guidelines) for COVID-19