Volunteer with Friends of Holcomb Gardens

The Friends of Holcomb Gardens (FROHG) volunteer program was established in 2025. In keeping with Butler University’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, FROHG was created to help the University maintain the newly planted flowerbeds with methods that support our local ecosystems and the people who depend on them. Our volunteers are essential to supporting the sustainable care and maintenance of not only these beds but also some of our native plantings beyond Holcomb Gardens, including our pollinator and rain gardens located near Residential College.
While Butler University’s Grounds and Landscaping team oversees the maintenance of the Gardens, volunteers make this work possible. By performing tasks including weeding, pruning, planting, and removing any debris, our volunteers help with the routine maintenance of the gardens, ensuring they look beautiful and are naturally cared for.
With your help, we can create an inclusive, welcoming, and educational space for members of the Butler community and beyond to come together, enjoy time outdoors, and nurture the campus ecosystem.
Are you willing to share your time and talent with Butler University and help steward Holcomb Gardens and our campus ecosystem?
Steps for Volunteering with FROHG
- Fill out the FROHG Sign-Up Form. This form will ask you to sign the waiver and will ask for Butler ID number for Butler Faculty, Staff, and Students.
- Review the Volunteer Handbook.
- Sign up for shifts. Each month, volunteers will receive a shift sign-up form showing all volunteer opportunities that month. This message will only be sent to those who have completed the FROHG Sign-Up Form above.
- Submit Volunteer Hours. Use this form to submit hours after each shift.
Butler student? Report your volunteer experience to the Green Grad program and earn points.
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a volunteer, fill out the FROHG Sign-up Form, and we will contact you with information on the available volunteer opportunities and garden schedules. This sign-up form and the included waiver must be completed before any volunteer work in the gardens.
The Friends of Holcomb Gardens volunteer group functions primarily as an “adopt a space” organization. Consistent volunteers will join a team that is assigned to a specific area of the gardens and will perform routine maintenance twice each month. Volunteers are not required to attend all their team’s work shifts but are welcome to if they desire.
All volunteer shifts and teams will be led by a volunteer team leader. We are currently working to recruit these volunteer team leaders, so stay tuned to see what shift times will be available this season.
Nope! Whether you are interested in volunteering once every other week or once this season, we would love to have you join us in the gardens. Shift options will follow the same schedule as the routine garden teams, so you will have the opportunity to join any regularly occurring shift that fits your schedule.
No prior gardening experience is required! We welcome all skill levels, and our team will provide any necessary training to help you get started.
We recommend bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. If you have gardening gloves or tools, feel free to bring them, though we also have supplies available.
FROHG volunteers must be 18 years or older.*
*Exceptions can be made for special volunteer group experiences for minors if well chaperoned. Contact gardenvolunteers@butler.edu with inquiries.
Currently, FROHG is not hosting any large group work parties due to staff capacity and the amount of work required to maintain the space.
We love the idea of fostering a love for nature and community service in the next generation! Young people are more than welcome to enjoy the Gardens during your shift. However, to ensure everyone’s safety and to meet our insurance and liability requirements, individuals below the age of 18 are not allowed to participate in any hands-on gardening or FROHG volunteer activities. Additionally, children who accompany their parent or guardian remain the responsibility of that individual.
We planted a wide variety of Indiana native plants to create a diverse ecosystem that provides habitats for our native pollinators, and other wildlife. To see the full species list visit this page [link to species list]
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us via email at gardenvolunteers@butler.edu.