Opportunities From: Powell Gardens Kansas City's Botanical Garden

Help bring our beautiful hanging baskets to life by joining the Foliage Basket Crew! Volunteers will assist our greenhouse team with seasonal production plantings, helping prepare the hanging baskets that will be enjoyed throughout Powell Gardens.

Tasks may include filling and planting hanging baskets, taking and propagating cuttings, moving baskets, routine maintenance, and tagging finished plants. This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys hands-on gardening and wants to learn more about greenhouse production.

Schedule:

Tuesdays and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Qualifications:
Volunteers should be comfortable working in a greenhouse environment and able to lift pots on and off the ground. Greenhouse temperatures are typically comfortable in the fall but may fluctuate depending on the weather.

Accessibility:

Not wheelchair accessible Outdoor/greenhouse opportunity Not family-friendly

What to Bring:
Please dress for changing weather conditions and bring:

Water bottle Sunscreen Bug spray Closed-toe shoes Gardening gloves Jacket and short-sleeve shirt (temperatures can vary)

Arrival Instructions:
Please check in at the Front Desk when you arrive and ask for Greenhouse Lead Valarie.

Staff Lead
Valarie | P# 816-229-7526

Join the Horticulture team in helping keep Powell Gardens vibrant and thriving! Volunteers will assist with essential garden care tasks including watering flowers in beds and containers throughout the Perennial Garden, Gatehouse areas, and highway plantings. Additional tasks may include light weeding and general garden maintenance as needed.

This is a great opportunity for individuals who enjoy working outdoors and contributing directly to the beauty and health of the gardens.

Schedule: Flexible (between 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

What to Bring Sunscreen Water bottle Snack Bug spray Closed-toe shoes Arrival Instructions

Upon arrival, please report to the Perennial Garden and check in with either Tommy Loggins or Dan Hicks.

Point of Contact

Tommy Loggins
tloggins@powellgardens.org

Love working outdoors and getting your hands dirty? Join the Horticulture team in Powell Gardens' beautiful Woodland & Stream Garden! Volunteers in this role help maintain one of the Garden's most natural and serene spaces while supporting the health and beauty of the landscape.

Tasks may include:

Removing weeds and invasive plant speciesClearing debris from streams to maintain proper water flowPlanting containers and naturalized garden areasBlowing and clearing sidewalks, decks, and pathwaysAssisting with branch and tree removal using hand toolsOperating equipment such as string trimmers (training available for interested volunteers)

This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who enjoy physical outdoor work, learning about native landscapes, and contributing directly to the care of the Gardens.

Qualifications

Ability to perform general gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, and debris removalExperience using landscape equipment is helpful but not requiredWillingness to learn safe equipment operationAbility to identify and avoid poison ivy is beneficialMust be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions

What to Bring

Closed-toe shoesLong pants and tall socksWater bottleBug spray or tick repellentHat or headband (recommended)

Schedule
Flexible scheduling may be available after initial training. 

Arrival Instructions
Please enter through the employee entrance located to the right of the main gate and park near the former Horticulture Building. From there, you may walk to the Woodland & Stream Garden using the paved path past the Perennial Garden. New volunteers may arrange to be picked up and transported to the work area.

Questions?
Contact Trent Loggins at tdloggins@powellgardens.org or 660-238-5987

Do you enjoy tropical plants or want to learn more about caring for them? Join our Weekly Tropical Care Team at Colonial Farms and help care for our growing collection of tropical and houseplants!

Volunteers will assist with a variety of greenhouse tasks, including watering, cleaning, repotting, moving, and general plant care. With a diverse collection of plants, every shift offers something new to learn and experience. Whether you're an experienced plant enthusiast or simply curious about tropicals, we'd love to have you on the team.

Schedule Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Qualifications

Knowledge of tropical plants is helpful but not required. We welcome anyone eager to learn!

What to Bring

Although you'll be working inside the greenhouse, temperatures can get warm. Please bring:

Water bottle Sunscreen Hat Gardening gloves Arrival Instructions

Please check in at the Front Desk when you arrive and ask for a Greenhouse Lead.

Staff Lead

Dakota Lepker
dlepker@powellgardens.org

Help keep one of Powell Gardens' beautiful garden spaces thriving! Volunteers will assist the Horticulture team with a variety of seasonal gardening tasks, including weeding, deadheading spent blooms, planting, pruning, and other general garden maintenance. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who enjoys working outdoors, learning about plants, and making a visible impact on the beauty of the Gardens.

No previous gardening experience is required—just an interest in plant care, a willingness to learn, and a positive attitude.

Location: Island Garden

Shifts:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or SaturdayMorning: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Afternoon: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

What to Bring:
Please dress for the weather and outdoor conditions. We recommend bringing a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Sunscreen and bug spray are also available if needed.

Arrival Instructions:
The Island Garden is located along the path from the Visitor Center. Walk toward the Conservatory at the end of the Grand Hall, turn right at the first unlocked door, then follow the path toward the lake until you reach the bridge leading to the Island Garden.

Staff Lead: Justus Behler | jbehler@powellgardens.org 

Get hands-on with some of Powell Gardens’ most unique and fascinating plants! Volunteers will assist with replanting, staking, and dropping orchids, as well as moving and organizing heavy containers in our greenhouse. Additionally, volunteers will help maintain the enchanting Stumpery Garden. Tasks may include light weeding, planting, and general upkeep to enhance this whimsical space.

Schedules for this opportunity are the following weekly or bi-weekly mornings:

Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon (Special Collections)Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon (Stumpery Gardens)Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon (Special Collections)

 Productions Greenhouse staff:

Brent Tucker, lead horticulturist (btucker@powellgardens.org, 816-683-4839) 

Items to bring:

Water Favorite gardening tool if you own one (not required; tools will be provided)Close-toed shoesSunscreen

Join the Horticulture team at Powell Gardens and help care for the beautiful Fountain and Dogwood/Magnolia walk areas throughout the Gardens. Volunteers will assist with a variety of hands-on horticultural tasks including weeding, mulching, fertilizing, watering, pruning, planting, and occasional tree or shrub propagation projects.

This opportunity is perfect for volunteers who enjoy working outdoors, getting their hands dirty, and helping maintain stunning garden spaces for all guests to enjoy.

Volunteer Requirements:

Comfortable bending, standing, and working outdoors for up to 4 hours with breaks Able to work in heat and humidity

What to Bring:

Closed-toe shoes Garden gloves Sunscreen Water bottle Bug spray

Schedule:
Recurring morning shifts are available weekly or biweekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Staff Contact: Matt Hockaday | mhockaday@powellgardens.org

Arrival Instructions:
Volunteers will meet at the Visitor Center. If the main gate is closed, please enter through the business entrance and drive around Dam Road.

Horticulture Team Volunteer

Volunteers supporting the Horticulture Team play a hands-on role in caring for and growing the Gardens. Tasks may include pulling weeds, planting seasonal flowers and plants, preparing soil mixtures, mulching, and assisting with general garden maintenance projects. Activities vary by season and weather, but all work helps keep the Gardens healthy and beautiful for our guests.

No prior gardening experience is required—training and guidance will be provided on site. This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Schedule
This opportunity is available on a weekly or bi-weekly basis during the following morning shifts:

Tuesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

What to Bring

Closed-toe shoes (required)

Water bottle

Garden gloves (if you have them)

Cushion or kneeling pad for comfort during weeding (optional)

Sunscreen and bug spray, as needed

Staff Lead
Christian Van Matre | cvanmatre@powellgardens.org | 913.645.9889

Horticulture Team Volunteer

Volunteers supporting the Horticulture Team play a hands-on role in caring for and growing the Gardens. Tasks may include pulling weeds, planting seasonal flowers and plants, preparing soil mixtures, mulching, and assisting with general garden maintenance projects. Activities vary by season and weather, but all work helps keep the Gardens healthy and beautiful for our guests.

No prior gardening experience is required—training and guidance will be provided on site. This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Schedule
This opportunity is available on a weekly or bi-weekly basis during the following morning shifts:

Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

What to Bring

Closed-toe shoes (required)

Water bottle

Garden gloves (if you have them)

Cushion or kneeling pad for comfort during weeding (optional)

Sunscreen and bug spray, as needed

Staff Lead
Eric Perrette | eperrette@powellgardens.org | 816.807.5166

Horticulture Team Volunteer

Volunteers supporting the Horticulture Team play a hands-on role in caring for and growing the Gardens. Tasks may include pulling weeds, planting seasonal flowers and plants, preparing soil mixtures, mulching, and assisting with general garden maintenance projects. Activities vary by season and weather, but all work helps keep the Gardens healthy and beautiful for our guests.

No prior gardening experience is required—training and guidance will be provided on site. This opportunity is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Schedule
This opportunity is available on a weekly or bi-weekly basis during the following morning shifts:

Tuesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

What to Bring

Closed-toe shoes (required)

Water bottle

Garden gloves (if you have them)

Cushion or kneeling pad for comfort during weeding (optional)

Sunscreen and bug spray, as needed

Staff Lead
Eric Perrette | eperrette@powellgardens.org | 816.807.5166