Zoo Community Gardeners

Applying for this role

Applications for Zoo Community Gardeners will open on February 1, 2026 and close February 28, 2026. Interviews in person or via Zoom will take place in March 2026. Those applying for this role should expect to talk about their gardening experience and what they are hoping to gain from their time at Henry Vilas Zoo.

Role Summary

Zoo Community Gardeners care for the vegetable and front-facing gardens that feed our animals, educate the public and provide beautiful first impressions. Working as a group under the supervision of the HVZ Horticulturist, they ensure our plants grow strong and healthy through any weather.

Responsibilities

Working with the HVZ Horticulturist lead secession planting and ALL veggie garden harvesting
Lay mulch, weed, assist in seasonal plantings, water and collect browse as needed
Lend an artistic eye throughout the season
Learn about zoo horticulture, animal diets and browse collection mainenance
Maintain calm and optimism through even the driest dry spell

Volunteering For All

Gardeners volunteer outside in mostly open sun (though, shade can present itself in the early mornings when the shadows are longer). Public and private restrooms are located throughout the zoo only a short distance from any gardening area.

While gardens are often near pathways, the uneven nature of the ground may provide difficult for a standard wheelchair.

Early mornings at the zoo include animal noises and possible leaf-blowing before open hours. Noise from guests starts at 9:30AM when the zoo opens and is dependent on season and weather.

Requirements & Skills

Time Commitment

Training

All volunteers commit to a series of online training modules that walk them through an orientation and any skills/knowledge needed for their specific role. All online training is completed before the first shift.

All volunteers also commit to one onsite training set up specifically for their starting role.

All gardening volunteers must be able to commit to the onsite gardening training on Thursday, April 16, 8:30AM-11:30AM.

Weather Policy

Henry Vilas Zoo is open regardless of weather. While we remain open, we trust our Gardeners to decide whether or not they would like to volunteer in light precipitation, cold/hot temperatures, etc.

The volunteer is in charge of scheduling a make-up shift in the event they choose to stay home due to weather. In the event of truly inclement weather, we will call volunteers to cancel. In this case, volunteers do not need to make up their cancelled shift.

What is browse?

Browse is any edible, fresh plant material like leaves, twigs, and branches from woody plants. All animals at HVZ can get browse for a variety of different purposes (ex. eating, climbing, tools, perching, etc.).

Some animals have a daily fresh browse requirement. HVZ Gardeners learn to identify browse in their work and play a key role in maintaining and harvesting the browse during the growing season.

"I've never seen anyone get so excited to eat hibiscus that I helped grow!"

Lisa, HVZ Gardening Volunteer