Many gardens along our pathways are cared for by volunteers!
The Saginaw Children’s Zoo has over 100 volunteer tended gardens. These spaces feature their own personality and flair, just like the dedicated individuals, families, and organizations who lovingly tend to them!
It is our goal to have one of the area’s best public gardens and provide visitors with both an educational and beautiful experience as they walk around the Zoo. Our gardens are considered a “best practice” in the accredited zoo community, with much larger zoos adopting our ideas at their own facilities!
Adopt-a-Garden Requirements
Minimum age 18 years or older. Younger gardeners are welcome to accompany a gardener 18 or older.
What Will I Do as an Adopt-A-Gardener?
Once placed in a garden at the Zoo, most volunteers spend an average of 2 hours per week caring for their adopted space. Gardeners are responsible for their own planting materials, care of their plants, watering, fertilizing, and weeding. The Zoo does provide tools that can be used on a first come, first served basis, but gardeners are welcome to bring in their own tools instead.
How Do Garden Plots Become Available?
We typically send garden renewals to existing Adopt-A-Gardeners in March/April each year. Once the renewals are submitted, the Zoo is able to start contacting people at the top of the waitlist to fill any plots that became available.
When Can I Expect to be Contacted for a Garden?
Due to the unique nature of our program, it has gained quite the popularity in the community; It is not uncommon for gardeners to wait 2-3 Zoo seasons before they are able to adopt a plot at the Zoo.
What Are My Next Steps?
Email volunteers@saginawzoo.com or call 989-759-1408 to be added to our waiting list. Waiting gardeners can be added to the list any time throughout the year, and will be contacted when their name reaches the top.