At Daniel Stowe Conservancy, our goal is to help all discover their path to nature. We strive to create spaces for people to connect with nature in ways that are comfortable and meaningful to them. In many ways, our volunteer program follows that same philosophy. There’s no single path to volunteer here, and that’s intentional.
Some people are energized by conversation and enjoy welcoming guests, sharing knowledge and leading tours that help bring our history and gardens to life. Others are happiest a little further off the beaten path, walking our deer fence perimeter or helping to remove invasive plants tucked further into the woods. Some enjoy the peace of quiet mornings working in garden beds, walking the Adventure Trail or strolling with our Phenology teams. Others may enjoy working indoors and lending a hand behind the scenes with our membership mailings and holiday decorating teams.
Getting started as a volunteer at Stowe is simple and accessible. Most roles don’t require prior experience: just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Staff and experienced volunteers are always available to help guide you through your first shifts and share what they know along the way.
What really shapes this program are the people in it. Volunteers bring their own unique backgrounds, skills and interests, and over time that has led to new opportunities taking root. It’s inspiring to see how these contributions have opened up new ways for guests to discover and connect with nature at Stowe.
From monitoring bluebird nests and tracking seasonal plant changes to restoring crucial habitat and supporting public events, volunteers are woven into nearly every part of Stowe. Some come weekly, others monthly and some whenever their schedule allows— but each contribution adds up in meaningful ways.
There are tangible benefits as well: volunteers with 10 or more hours can earn a complimentary membership at any level, along with discounts and invitations to special volunteer gatherings. But more often than not, volunteers say they return for reasons that are harder to measure.
It’s the familiarity of seeing the same friendly faces each week.
It’s learning something new without expecting to.
It’s feeling connected to the land and to the community of people who care for it.
If you’ve been thinking about getting involved as a volunteer, there’s no better time to start than this spring. Whether you’re looking to spend more time outdoors, meet new people or simply try something new, there is a place for you here at Stowe.
Interested in volunteering at Stowe? Getting started is easy:
- Complete our Volunteer Inquiry Form
Submit a short form to create your volunteer profile and share a little about your interests. - Set Up Your Volunteer Account
After submitting the form, you’ll receive an email prompting you to create a password for your VicNet volunteer account. - Browse Volunteer Opportunities
Log in to VicNet and view the Schedule tab to explore upcoming volunteer opportunities and sign up for activities that interest you. In VicNet you can view details about where to go, what to expect, and how to prepare for each activity.
Join Us at Stowe
Once registered, you’ll receive a reminder email the day before your activity. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Weekly Volunteer Programs
Invasive Species Removal | Mondays | 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Help staff in an ongoing effort to restore habitats across the property by removing invasive plants like autumn olive, Chinese privet and wisteria. Learn to identify native species while creating space for them to thrive, supporting ecosystem health and local wildlife.
Deer Fence Monitor | Mondays and Fridays | 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Walk the Garden’s deer fence perimeter to check for gaps or fallen limbs. This role helps prevent costly wildlife damage to our botanical gardens. Volunteers should be comfortable walking through the woods on uneven terrain.
Persimmon Trail Plant Phenology | Tuesdays | 9–10 a.m.
Enjoy a stroll along our trails with our volunteer Phenology Team while documenting the lifecycle stages of 30+ plant species. Observations contribute to the National Phenology Network and climate change research.
Bluebird Phenology | Tuesdays | 10-11 a.m.
Join trained volunteer Bluebird Monitors as they observe and document bluebird nesting activity across nearly 50 nest boxes on our property. Data collected supports the USA National Phenology Network and national ornithology research.
Greenhouse Propagation + Maintenance | Tuesdays | 9–10:30 a.m.
Support greenhouse care including planting, watering, repotting, seed sowing and orchid division. No experience needed—hands-on guidance provided.
Garden Maintenance | Wednesdays and Fridays | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Work alongside horticulture staff on weeding, mulching and planting to help keep the Gardens at Stowe beautiful and thriving year-round!
Adventure Trail Steward | Wednesdays and Fridays | 9–10 a.m.
Enjoy a peaceful trail walk while resetting play areas and completing light maintenance on the half-mile Lost Hollow Kid’s Adventure Trail.
Learning for Littles | Select Wednesdays and Fridays| 9–9:45 a.m.
Support nature-based story time for children ages 0–4 and caregivers. Volunteers may assist with reading and program setup; shadowing required to begin.
Garden Pavilion Greeters | Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Welcome guests, share directional information about our spaces and help create a friendly first impression at the Garden Pavilion during peak visitation on weekends.
Membership Mailings | Monthly
Assist our Development Team with folding and stuffing hundreds of member renewal letters each month.
Public Events + Special Exhibits | Select Dates and Holidays
Support our major public events by greeting guests, assisting with parking and helping manage activity stations for families and children. Upcoming events where volunteer support is especially needed include our Spring Plant Sale, Mother’s Day and the opening of the Butterfly Bungalow over Memorial Day weekend. Volunteers also play a key role in our major seasonal exhibits, including Chinese Lanterns and Holidays at the Garden.
We hope you’ll consider becoming a volunteer at Stowe! We welcome and encourage volunteers of all ages and levels of experience to connect with people and nature on our beautiful 380 acres. You’ll truly make a difference as you help our community find their path to nature…and maybe find your own path, too!
