Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering to be on our many committees to support our mission “Preserving our gardens and historic landmarks while promoting the environment, conservation and civic beautification through education and programs.”

  1. College scholarships
  2. Tidewell Grief Therapy
  3. Planting and maintaining the plants at the Doughboy Statue in Hamel Park
  4. Refurbishing the Blue Star Marker (dedicated to the men and women in the armed forces) on 41 and maintaining the surrounding plantings
  5. Maintaining the Secret Garden on the Ringling grounds
  6. Horticulture and Design programs that are open to the community
  7. Civic Beautification Awards for businesses that have done an outstanding job of   Landscaping and maintaining their properties
  8. Maintaining the Sarasota Botanical Gardens which are open to the Public
  9. Coral reef restoration
  10. Supporting the Conservation

Botanical Gardens – Friday mornings find a group of volunteers committed to maintaining the botanical gardens and enjoying comradery while they tend the 14 sites as well as the Patio Water Garden. They have been instrumental in discovering, recovering and refurbishing a Japanese Lantern, originally donated by the Caples family many years ago, from Tuttle’s Puddle. It has become our Garden Landmark.

Mable Ringling’s Secret Garden – Just north of Ca’ d’Zan is where John and Mable Ringling and John’s sister are buried This garden was created with plants given to Mable by her friends and neighbors during her winters in Sarasota . She enjoyed entertaining her guests by taking them on tours. Today, the Sarasota Garden club, as a tribute to Mable, their founding Member, maintain this garden.

J.D. Hamel Park – Located at Marina Plaza, is a National Garden Club Blue Star Marker memorial to honor veterans donated by the Sarasota Garden Club as well as a small garden surrounding a Viquesney replica of the famous Doughboy Statue. Volunteers help to replant and refurbish the sign and statue for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays.

Coral Reef Restoration – Volunteers who enjoy scuba diving have an opportunity to help restore the coral reefs in Florida. Sarasota Garden Club, as part of the FFGC, supports this most important environmental underwater garden. The public, schools and families are welcome to volunteer to plant this underwater garden too.