Volunteer

Got a green thumb? As a Gar­den­ing Vol­un­teer, you will assist the Trust for Gov­er­nors Island Hor­ti­cul­ture Staff in car­ing for the Island’s sprawl­ing mead­ows, young for­est groves, orna­men­tal flowerbeds and land­scaped hill­sides. Gov­er­nors Gardeners:

• Per­form sea­son­al gar­den­ing tasks includ­ing plant­i­ng, prun­ing, weed­ing, water­ing, rak­ing, mulching and trans­plant­i­ng (all require abil­i­ty to bend, lift, and kneel)
• Learn to iden­ti­fy and remove inva­sive plants, under the direction of our expert Horticulture staff
• Cre­ate a catalog of Island bio­di­ver­si­ty by pho­tograph­ing and doc­u­ment­ing ani­mal and plant life on the Island
• Serve as a friend­ly, help­ful and infor­ma­tive resource for visitors

Governors Gardeners make a regular commitment to the Island, developing in-depth knowledge of the Island’s unique landscapes and needs. Shifts are available on weekday mornings and are available to individuals 18+ years of age.

Want to share your enthu­si­asm about Gov­er­nors Island with oth­er vis­i­tors and help build a com­mu­ni­ty of sup­port­ers? Island Ambassadors are a vital part of the Visitor Experience team. Ambassadors:

• Serve as a friend­ly, help­ful and infor­ma­tive resource for vis­i­tors around the Island
• Answer vis­i­tors’ ques­tions about the Island’s events and attractions
• Pro­vide direc­tions to vis­i­tors to nav­i­gate around the Island
• Help staff the Island’s wel­come cen­ter and info desk
• Support public programming, including Governors Island Arts, Pumpkin Point, and more

Following training by Friends of Governors Island staff, Ambassadors are true Island insiders, supporting our mission to be a welcoming, inclusive resource for all New Yorkers. Ambassadors must be 18+ years of age and are asked to commit to ten volunteer hours each month.

Love Gov­er­nors Island and want to share your enthu­si­asm about its history with vis­i­tors? Tour Guides:

• Lead in-depth pub­lic walk­ing tours (approx­i­mate­ly one hour in length)
• Learn the Island’s his­to­ry as a military base and development into one of New York City’s most dynamic public spaces
• Stay up-to-date on cur­rent pro­gram­ming and future plans
• Answer vis­i­tors’ ques­tions about the Island’s pro­gram­ming and attractions
• Develop communication skills as an educator and historian

Tour Guides receive thorough coaching from Island staff before leading impactful experiences for visitors. We ask that Tour Guides lead at least three tours each month.

Interested in working with Governors Island’s most famous (and cutest!) employees — a family of landscaping sheep? Sheep Stewards:

• Ensure the safety and comfort of Island sheep through attentive supervision
• Guarantee sheep have adequate food and water
• Follow rigorous protocol to escort sheep safely between restoration zones in Hammock Grove
• Educate visitors about the importance of biodiversity and the Horticulture team’s work to manage invasive species on Governors Island

Sheep Steward positions are available on weekends during the Spring and Summer. Given the importance of the sheep’s wellbeing, Sheep Stewards undergo a thorough training process in Spring and are expected to make a regular commitment throughout the Summer.