Below are just a few of the opportunities for joining in BRIT's work as a volunteer, whether in Education, the Botanical Collections, the Library, or Fund Development. If you would like to talk to someone about volunteering with BRIT in general, please send us an email or call (817) 332-4441.
Enthusiastic volunteers can provide the critical element for delivering quality programs through BRIT's education outreach. Volunteers contribute to the Education Program in a variety of ways ranging from organization and preparation of materials and equipment to set up and hospitality at teacher workshops. Below are a few things volunteers can do in BRIT Education or view more ways to support educational outreach here.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Education department, please contact Kathy Scott at 817-332-4441 #237 or kscott@brit.org.
Are you an expert in taping and editing video? BRIT needs help videotaping at various workshops and public events scheduled throughout the year. Workday and weekend schedules are available.
Learn more about science concepts and inquiry learning as you assist BRIT staff during teacher workshops. Docents distribute materials, take photographs, and help our participants feel at home by ensuring that food and drinks are readily available. No experience required. Workshops are 3-6 hours long and may be scheduled twice monthly at peak times. Flexibility of schedule is important in this position.
Do you enjoy organizing materials? Become the manager of the kits and trunks that are a part of BRIT’s Classroom Resource Loan Program. The manager will be responsible keeping the kits and trunks in good condition, ensuring they are fully stocked, and inventorying the kits and trunks after each use. This person will refurbish materials, equipment, and supplies and inform the program manager of any repair/replacement that is necessary. This job may require 2 to 4 hours per week during the busiest seasons.
What is a Herbarium?
A herbarium is a museum that houses dried, pressed plants. Each dried plant is mounted on paper with collection data to make a specimen. Herbarium specimens are stored in cabinets and are filed or indexed according to taxonomic groups.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Herbarium, please contact Tiana at tfranklin@brit.org or call (817) 332-4441
Here are a few things volunteers can do in the BRIT herbarium:
All dried, pressed specimens are mounted on acid-free paper using archival-quality glue. Labels, maps, photographs, and other documentation are mounted with the specimen. A fragment packet is attached to each specimen to store loose flowers and fruits.
All newly-mounted specimens and recent acquisitions are filed in herbarium cabinets. Specimens are arranged by family, genus, and species, and also filed by geographic origin. Some working knowledge of biology, botany, or taxonomy is helpful, but not required.
Do you enjoy assisting with an event from the beginning stages to its culmination? The Development team at BRIT would benefit from your volunteer skills. To facilitate BRIT events running smoothly the development/special events team is grateful to volunteers who are willing to assist with mailings, set-up and/or clean-up of events, and providing clerical assistance when needed. This position is very flexible and is utilized for 4-6 hours a month near event dates.
Provide clerical assistance with mailings.
The BRIT Botanical Library is a fabulous collection containing approximately 95,000 volumes of scientific and taxonomic books, periodicals, and journals from more than 90 countries representing the majority of the world’s written languages. During normal weekdays the library needs assistance with:
Nice people, a quiet and scholarly environment, cold AC, free coffee, meeting famous botanists, getting to see thousands of plants!
