Knoxville Botanical Gardens & Arboretum

Growing Gardens, Honoring History, Cultivating Community

At the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, we deeply value community connection and the spirit of volunteerism, knowing that our dedicated volunteers are the root system that allows our organization to thrive. We believe that every volunteer helps us cultivate a welcoming sanctuary of history, natural beauty, and outdoor discovery where visitors of all generations can experience the healing power of nature.

The Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum is a nonprofit public treasure dedicated to enriching lives through horticulture, historic preservation, and environmental education. Growing across 44 acres of the historic former Howell Nurseries - and proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places - the Garden fosters curiosity, wellness, and wonder. From our vibrant display gardens and unique plant collections to over two miles of timeless, hand-crafted stone walls, our living landscape is open and free to everyone, 365 days a year. Here, our community is at the heart of everything we do, and we invite our guests to explore their potential as creators, conservationists, history buffs, and nature lovers.

We are incredibly grateful for every volunteer who lends their time and talents to help us preserve this historic green space and share it with the world. Our volunteer opportunities range from flexible individual shifts and weekly recurring roles to collaborative corporate service days, whether you want to get your hands dirty in the soil, help maintain our walking trails, or support our community events. We truly couldn't keep our gates open and free without you!