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Admission Membership
Admission Membership

Gardening

With more than 125 acres of land to enjoy, the Zoo is home to expansive and award-winning habitats, buildings and landscapes. Volunteer gardeners help beautify the space, tending to flowers and garden beds.

Adopt-a-Garden Gardener

Experience

Adopt-a-Garden volunteers maintain specific beds at the Zoo. You’ll get to really dig in, too. Plant, weed and water the garden bed during the growing season. Gardens are assigned based on availability to Garden Assistants.

  • Training 45 to 60 minutes with landscape staff
  • Flexible, at least two times a month

Garden Assistant

Experience

Be the right-hand to our landscape staff as a garden assistant with the Zoo. With so many special projects to choose from — tending flowers in the greenhouse, spreading mulch, weeding invasive plants and more — there’s no limit to the good you’ll do!

  • Training 45 to 60 minutes with landscape staff
  • Flexible, year-round shifts ranging from two to three hours

The Detroit Zoological Society volunteer application process will resume in Spring of 2026

If you are interested in supporting our special events – 21 Plus, Run Wild, Zoo Boo or Wild Lights you may email [email protected].