Fondly called “the people’s garden,” CMBG has always been about volunteers. Our founders were all volunteers, offering freely of their time as well as their talent. In fact, CMBG was an all-volunteer organization from 1992 until 2001. Original trails and gardens were all developed and brought to life by volunteers. In 1998, we had 129 volunteers. Today we have over 250 dedicated volunteers donating more than 10,000 hours annually, and though their work may have changed, their joy, zeal and professionalism remains. Our volunteers serve as drivers, gardeners, greeters, tour guides, surveyors, garden shop clerks, storytellers and more. The Gardens provides ongoing training and regular information sessions on all aspects of Gardens policy for our volunteers, and visitors frequently say our volunteers are one of their favorite elements of the Gardens. We are indebted to all our volunteers, without whom the Gardens could not exist as the extraordinary botanical garden it has become.

Volunteers will always be integral to our work to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education and research. If you want to get involved and find your fit as a member of the Gardens volunteer team, visit www.MaineGardens.org/get-involved/volunteer.