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January 2021
Hello & Happy New Year!
We'll start this year by looking back and looking ahead. Tell us what you think in our 2021 Volunteer Survey. This brief survey is open through February 13, and is incredibly helpful for developing the Garden's volunteer programs.
I hope you can join us for our Annual Garden Member & Volunteer Briefing on Wednesday, January 30, 2021, from 5:30-6:30pm. Click here to register.
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Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
Many volunteer opportunities are on pause this month, including the Green Team, Gardener's Assistants, and Bean Sprouts Family Days. However, for those who are able to come in safely, we have the following opportunities.
Plant Arbor
We are looking for a regular volunteer at the Plant Arbor on Friday afternoons, from 1-4pm, specifically January 22 and into February. The role involves providing customer service and plant knowledge to visitors. All sales will be rung through the Bookstore, with staff there to assist with closing up the Plant Arbor at the end of the day.
If you have previously been trained to volunteer at the Plant Arbor or if you have nursery experience, we'd love to have your help. Contact Chloe to learn more, or sign up here.
Bookstore
We hope to have opportunities for new volunteers soon at the Bookstore. If you are interested and able to volunteer on weekends, January-March, please let us know! The Bookstore is currently open Friday-Sunday, 10am—4pm.
Bookstore volunteers will work mostly in our open air register area under a canopy (much like the Plant Arbor or a farmer's market). They will assist customers with recommendations and purchases, as well as spend time in the store keeping items neat and organized.
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Interpretative Volunteers
Roving Docents
This winter (January-March) docents, guides, and others with strong knowledge of the Garden and an interest in talking to visitors, are invited to be "Stationary Rovers" at several of the Garden's prime magnolia viewing sites. Shifts are currently scheduled for Tuesdays, and Thursdays-Sunday, 12-2pm.
There will be a refresher training to review magnolia botany, history, and featured specimens on Thursday, January 14, 10am-12pm. Click here to join
Docent Training
Learn how to lead tours in the Garden
Trainees will learn about Mediterranean climates, focusing on plants adapted to live in those regions, especially California, South Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. We will examine the unique adaptations of drought-tolerant plants, looking at ecological relationships as well as the ways people depend on plants.
The training will primarily be held virtually, on alternating Thursdays, starting Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 9am-12pm. We plan to meet in person at the Garden on 3 Saturdays (3/13, 4/24, and 6/5), also from 9am-12pm. Participants should expect to commit at least 2 hours per week to readings and independent assignments to be done on your own or in small groups at the Garden. Continuing education and additional trainings will be offered throughout the year.
Although it is encouraged to have some experience with the natural world, the Garden seeks applicants representing diverse backgrounds and experiences. After completing the training, docents are expected to lead 20 tours per year, for at least one year. The training fee is $75 for members, $130 for nonmembers (includes a 1-year membership). Click here to apply
Thanks for helping spread the word about this opportunity!
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Slices of Joy
- Did you know that the Garden has maps available in all of San Francisco's official languages- Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and English? These are available at the entrance kiosk.
- More than 2,000 family members participated in Bean Sprouts Family Days last year. The program will be taking a break during January, but in the meantime, the Children’s Garden remains open for visitors to enjoy on their own.
- Congratulations to Horticulturist Dolores Gamez on receiving a William Hammond Hall award for 2020 within the Recreation and Parks Department. The entire ceremony can be seen here, (to see Dolores fast forward to 38:47-44:05).
- 84 participants created Garden-grown wreaths at home for virtual wreath making. Many thanks to the staff and volunteers who helped get beautiful plant material into the creative hands of our wreath-makers!
- Thanks Steve Bell, for some of this month's photos and for offering to help with this newsletter! I look forward to working together.
- Catch a whiff of the Edgeworthia chrysantha or paper bush (photo below) in Temperate Asia, one of many precocious Garden blooms.
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Two things to remember this month: 1) Please complete the Volunteer Survey and 2) Register to join us on January 27th at 5:30pm for the Annual Member and Volunteer Briefing.
All the best,
Chloe
Chloe Wieland | Director of Volunteer Engagement
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San Francisco Botanical Garden
P (415) 661-1316 Ext. 400
C (415) 629-2010
9am-5pm, M-F
cwieland@sfbg.org
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Give, join, renew, or upgrade your membership here
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