Special Events & Program Volunteers

JFGM hosts many cultural special events throughout the year that require the support and efforts of our volunteers. If you would like to volunteer with us for these events and programs, please see our available volunteer opportunities below to sign up!

Garden Maintenance & Composting

JFGM’s composting achieves a 75% waste diversion rate​ and zero waste events.​ The compost becomes fertile to be used as soil​ and helps the garden flourish! With 12 acres to offer our community, we need plenty of volunteers to assist our gardeners by pulling weeds, watering plants, and performing various tasks to maintain the garden. No gardening or composting experience is required and scheduling is flexible. If you are interested in joining our team of Garden/Compost Volunteers, please submit a General Volunteer Application below.

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• No experience necessary

• Commit to a minimum of 8 hours a month for 3 months

• Flexible scheduling Monday-Friday between 10:00am and 4:00pm

• 16 years or older

Docent Program

JFGM docents lead public and private tours of the garden, which involves being familiar with key design elements of the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum.

We are currently recruiting new docents! To learn more and sign up, click the button below.

Internship

Interested in learning behind the scenes of JFGM? Come apply for an internship! For information on available departments, click the button below.

Volunteer Parking Information

Beginning January 5, 2026, the City of San Diego will implement paid parking throughout Balboa Park.

At this time, free parking is available only to verified JFGM volunteers who serve in ongoing roles, including weekly Garden & Compost volunteers and Docents. Eligible volunteers must have a registered parking pass to receive free parking while volunteering or working in the park.

Registered volunteers may park in Level 2 and Level 3 parking lots throughout Balboa Park, as well as at metered parking spaces located on roads within the park’s West Mesa. For the most up-to-date parking policies, please refer to the City of San Diego’s official website on parking for more information.

Special Event or single-visit volunteers are not eligible for free parking. In limited special circumstances, a temporary parking pass may be granted at JFGM’s discretion.

If you are eligible and wish to register for volunteer parking, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator via email at info@niwa.org.

Questions about Volunteering?

For more information, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at info@niwa.org or call (619) 232-2721 Ext. 1527.