SPEAK volunteers
The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Students Promoting Environmental Awareness & Knowledge program (SPEAK) engages high school volunteers with a passion for teaching and the environment. SPEAK volunteers educate Garden visitors on combating climate change through sustainable gardening practices by having short conversations with visitors at SPEAK stations located throughout the Garden. SPEAK stations are moveable carts containing interactive materials and handouts. Conversations typically last about one to five minutes. This year’s SPEAK station topics are: Sustainable Gardening, Gardening for Native Wildlife, & Growing your own Food.
We will have a virtual information session about the SPEAK program and the Summer High School Internship Program on January 13 and February 10, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. To sign up for this information session, click here.
Recommendation Form for a Student Applicant
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
DETAILS
Application will be open until March 1, 2026.
Selected applicants will be invited to a 2-hour group interview in person at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on either Saturday, March 21 or March 28 from 10 a.m. – noon.
Those chosen to participate in the volunteer program will join us for a training day at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Volunteers commit to volunteering 50 hours throughout June 2 – July 24, including the mandatory 6 hour training day on May 30. Volunteer shifts will be available Tuesdays–Fridays from 10 a.m. – noon, noon – 2 p.m., & 2 – 4 p.m., as well as Saturdays & Sundays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Volunteers will be supervised by Garden Programs Team members.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be 16 years or older by June 2, 2026.
- Must submit a completed application no later than March 1, 2026.
- Must have a non-relative adult (e.g. teacher, mentor, boss) submit a recommendation form on applicant’s behalf no later than March 1, 2026.
- Willing to follow policies and procedures of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
- Able to receive and interpret instruction.
- Eager to learn about and engage in environmental sustainability measures.
- Must be willing to engage in conversations with Garden visitors.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden also offers a Summer High School Internship Program for students from Title I schools. Below describes the differences between the SPEAK Volunteer Program and Summer High School Internship.
If you’d like to apply for both the Summer High School Internship Program and the SPEAK Volunteer Program, you only have to fill out the Summer High School Internship application, not both applications.
