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Home » Join and Support » Volunteer at Bernheim

Volunteer at Bernheim

In many ways volunteers are the heart of our organization and are essential for Bernheim’s success in fulfilling our mission of connecting people with nature. There are a variety of ways people of all ages can volunteer at Bernheim. From more rugged trail work, to gardening, to the reception desk at the Education Center, to helping with youth programming, Bernheim has outdoor and indoor opportunities for everyone.

All potential volunteers must attend a monthly Volunteer Orientation prior to being scheduled for volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Now »   View our Volunteer Blog » Volunteer Trail Ranger Resources »

Our volunteer opportunities include (but are not limited to):

Arts In Nature Opportunities

Art Group

Art Volunteers have more fun! Work closely with our Arts in Nature team and join in on the weekly fun every Thursday. Duties may include support to visiting artists in residence, general arts maintenance, assistance in building collaborative large-scale installations, and other arts related projects that come up throughout the year. Each week is different, but always a good time. No art experience necessary.

Horticulture Opportunities

Gardening Group

Join our Thursday morning gardening group to assist the Horticulture department in enhancing the overall appearance of Bernheim’s arboretum, as well as helping maintain Bernheim’s plant operations within the nursery and greenhouses. These volunteers will also be involved with our Living Roof Program and special events.

Edible Garden Helper

Work with our Edible Garden Steward by weeding, mulching, planting, watering, working compost and a variety of other activities to keep the garden well-maintained and productive. Bernheim’s Edible Garden focuses on edible plants and landscapes to help visitors of all ages and backgrounds understand how they can grow food themselves, at home or in their community. This garden also provides fresh produce for Isaac’s Café.

Playcosystem Landscape Team

The volunteer Playcosystem landscape team works during low visitation periods to mow, weed, weed eat, rake, sweep, prune, mulch and perform other landscape maintenance activities to keep Playcosystem in perpetual visitor-ready status. Because Playcosystem is open to the public whenever Bernheim is open, the job requires constantly adjusting work tasks depending on how the space is being used by visitors.

Education Opportunities

Volunteer Naturalist

Bernheim’s award-winning Naturalist Program provides volunteers with an in-depth learning and service experience. The Naturalist Program begins each winter and creates a volunteer community through an inspired curriculum where volunteers will significantly increase their knowledge of the local environment. That knowledge can then be used to lead various Bernheim educational programs and hands-on discovery stations at events and programs. Naturalists are required to volunteer at least 60 hours per year.

 

Naturalist Assistant

Want to be involved in the Naturalist Program, but don’t have 60 hours a year available to volunteer? Become a Naturalist Assistant and provide support to our team of Volunteer Naturalists through direct involvement with our E.C.O. Kids programs and other special events.

Outreach Opportunities

Volunteer Play Ambassador

Volunteer play facilitators work within various zones of Playcosystem to help visitors maximize their play experience at Bernheim and serve as ambassadors for outdoor free play. They interact with families, both adults and children, to explain why Bernheim is involved in play and to help parents understand the value of outdoor play, risk in play, self-directed free play, and other play topics. They maintain the loose parts, perform light landscape maintenance, and keep the play space in a safe working condition. They also serve as play ambassadors by answering questions and helping families get the most out of their visit. Play facilitators must be comfortable initiating conversations with Bernheim visitors of all ages.

 

Minimum of four hours per month preferred.

Guest Services Opportunities

Gift Shop Assistant

Volunteers work side by side with staff in all aspects of Visitor Services, such as greeting visitors, answering phones and questions, and labeling and selling merchandise. Our LEED Platinum Visitor Center is the hub for visitors looking for information, gifts or just a place to relax and enjoy nature. Our visitors are our biggest asset (besides our volunteers!), and we need you to help us take care of them.

Isaac’s Café Assistant

As a café volunteer, you will work closely with staff in all areas of food service including food prep, making lunches, taking orders and washing dishes. This position will also talk with visitors about the relationship between the Edible Garden and the food that is served at Isaac’s Café. Isaac’s offers a relaxing area where visitors can enjoy a wonderful local lunch — using produce from the garden, along with breads, meats and cheeses from small businesses in the surrounding community. Join a fun group of talented and conscientious food lovers and help our visitors to connect with the story behind their meal!

Information Desk Volunteer

Volunteers help answer phones, greet guests and assist with administrative tasks. Bernheim takes pride in having a personal greeting for every visitor and our volunteers make this possible.

Natural Areas Opportunities

Forest Steward

If you have ever wanted a chance to explore Bernheim’s natural areas beyond the hiking trails, become a Forest Steward. Bernheim’s skilled Natural Areas staff will work with volunteers to show them the many different plant species that threaten the Natural Areas and Arboretum. Forest Stewards will then have the opportunity to adopt an area of Bernheim, becoming responsible for its upkeep and keeping it free of unwanted plant species to maintain the health of our forest.

Trail Ranger

Volunteers check the trails for hazardous conditions, missing trail markers and trash. This volunteer position is critical to ensuring visitors' safety throughout our 40 miles of trails. Hand tools, trail markers and supplies are provided.

For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Ida Brown via email or at (502) 531-1541.

Individual volunteers should be at least 16 years old. Those younger than 16 are encouraged to volunteer accompanied by an adult.

Bernheim welcomes volunteers from organizations, schools, or any group of people wanting to support Bernheim’s mission of connecting people with nature. 

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Thank you to our Corporate Partners!


Thank you to our Corporate Partners!

  • GE Appliances
  • Beam Suntory
  • WMB
  • Luckett & Farley
  • Delta Dental KY
  • Westrock
  • Brown Forman
  • Quest Outdoors
  • Patagonia

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Forest Hill Drive and Guerilla Hollow trails are closed on Saturday, March 25 due to high winds. The Arboretum, including the Visitor Center, Playcosystem, and the Forest Giants Trail, will remain open.