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Meadowlark Volunteer Inquiry Form

LAKE CAROLINE GAZEBO WITH FLOWERING CHERRIES.

The below documents are required to be completed prior to the start of volunteering at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.

What days of the week are you generally available to volunteer from 8:00 a.m. - Noon?
Area of Interest
What types of gardens do you have experience or a passion for? (Select all that apply)
Are you part of any plan groups/societies?
Do you have any Horticultural degrees, certifications, or education?
  1. You are fully responsible for your own actions as well as the actions of anyone accompanying you, and you agree to comply with all NOVA Parks rules and regulations.
  2. You are permitted to use photographic equipment and materials provided at your own expense.
    a) All photographs, equipment, and related materials supplied by you are considered your property.
    b) The use of drones or other aerial photography equipment requires separate written approval and may be subject to additional regulations.
    c) Meadowlark management may provide limited secure storage for materials and equipment on a case-by-case basis.
  3. You may be accompanied by assistants or guests while photographing the grounds with prior approval from management. However, neither you nor anyone accompanying you may receive any form of monetary compensation or conduct any commercial activity during these sessions. This includes, but is not limited to, paid portrait sessions or client-based photography.
  4. You are permitted to use images taken at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for artistic, promotional, or commercial purposes with prior consent from Meadowlark management.
    a) You may credit your work as taken at “Meadowlark Botanical Gardens” in promotional materials.
    b) NOVA Parks retains the right to request access to selected images for use in its own promotional or educational materials, with photographer credit.
  5. You are required to submit a selection of no fewer than 15 high-quality photographs to Meadowlark management on a monthly (30-day) basis. Each submission must include, at a minimum, 5 photos an evening event. Evening events may include weddings at The Atrium or public programs such as the Winter Walk of Lights. These images may be used by NOVA Parks and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for promotional, educational, or archival purposes, with appropriate credit to you as the photographer
    a) Minimum Resolution: i) Images must be a minimum of 3000 x 2000 pixels (6 megapixels). ii) Preferred resolution for print use is 6000 x 4000 pixels (24 megapixels) or higher.
    b) File Format: i) Submit files in JPEG (high quality, minimum 10/12) or TIFF format. ii) RAW files may be requested for special projects.
    c) Color Profile: i) Use sRGB for web and general use. ii) Use Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB if submitting for high-end print.
    d) DPI (Dots Per Inch): i) Images intended for print must be at least 300 DPI. ii) Web-use images should be optimized at 150 DPI or 72 DPI depending on usage.
    e) Cropping and Watermarking: i) Submissions must be uncropped and free of watermarks, unless otherwise approved. ii) Credit will be attributed to you where applicable.
    f) Labeling and Metadata: i) Filenames should include subject, location, date, and last name of Photographer (e.g., Lotus_Meadowlark_July2025_Jones.jpg).
    g) Embedded metadata should include your name and copyright.
  6. You must receive verbal or written consent from guests or visitors before photographing individuals in a recognizable way. You are expected to be respectful and mindful of guests’ privacy and comfort.
  7. Photography of Atrium Weddings must be prearranged and approved with Meadowlark Management and members of the event.
  8. You will be issued a Resident Photographer Lanyard ID, which must be visible while photographing on site. The Lanyard ID will provide entry to the gardens, events, and programs.
  9. You must provide Meadowlark management with proof of liability insurance before beginning any official photography work under this permit.
  10. Any safety concern on Meadowlark property should be immediately communicated to a staff member listed below.
  11. You will communicate with Garden Manager Jeff Hill prior to any photography sessions as to the methods, scope, and potential times and dates of your visits, and to coordinate any necessary staff assistance on site.
  12. NOVA Parks reserves the right to revoke this permit upon just cause. In the event that this permit is revoked, NOVA Parks will provide you reasonable time to retrieve any personal property stored on site.

Can You Conquer Climb UPton?

Take on the largest ropes course in the Mid-Atlantic with 90 elements across three challenge levels. Climb UPton is open weekends and holidays 10am-7pm through November 22.

Help Shape NOVA Parks' Next 5-Year Strategic Plan

NOVA Parks is developing its next strategic plan and wants to hear from the people who visit its parks, participate in programs, attend its events, and enjoy its facilities. Whether you visit often or occasionally, your feedback will help shape the future of NOVA Parks. Please take 5 minutes to share your input.