|
|
May 2022
Dear Volunteers,
As we reach the end of May, we also reach the end of my time as the Interim Volunteer Manager! It has been such a blast getting to know so many volunteers over the last 7+ months and I can't wait to see how the volunteer program will continue to grow. Whether you've been getting your hands dirty with the Green Team or leading walks through the Garden - I'm grateful for you and the time you've chosen to spend with us!
This newsletter has some great updates, as well as some opportunities for volunteers to come together in person after all this time. Thanks for everything, and hope to see you soon!
| |
Meet Crystal Lee Stone!
We’re pleased to announce that Crystal Lee Stone is the new Volunteer Program Manager for the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. She has most recently been working as volunteer manager at KQED and prior to that managed volunteers at the Exploratorium. Crystal impressed us with the depth of her knowledge about working with volunteers, her commitment to the volunteer experience, and her warm and open manner. She joined us to participate in Garden Feast, but due to previously scheduled travel she will not be fully available until May 31. Chloe Wieland will be assisting with Crystal’s onboarding.
Jenn Tapler has been doing a terrific job as interim Volunteer Manager for much longer than had been anticipated, and she will also be assisting with Crystal’s training. In the meantime, Garden Camp is preparing to launch and Jenn is stepping fully into her role as Camp Manager. During this transition time, please do what you can to help lighten Jenn’s load – help get volunteer shifts filled promptly and bring questions or concerns to me or your staff manager when possible.
Thank you for all you do for the Garden, and we look forward to working together as we enter this next chapter in its evolution!
Best,
Annette Huddle
| |
| Upcoming Volunteer Events
| |
Volunteer Meet & Greet
Tuesday, June 14, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Library Courtyard
Join us for light refreshments in the Library Courtyard as we embrace the Garden's transition to new volunteer management. We will welcome new Volunteer Manager, Crystal Lee Stone, and say thank you to Jenn Tapler, the interim Volunteer Manager, and bid farewell to Chloe Wieland, former Director of Volunteer Services.
All Volunteers welcome, regardless of role or experience. RSVP here!
| |
Green Team Potluck
Thursday, June 9, 11:30am-12:30pm
Redwood Grove
It's time to get together and celebrate the hard work of our awesome horticulture volunteers and the horticulture staff! Please bring something to share. This lunch will also be an opportunity to get to know Crystal and say hello to Chloe.
Intended for Green Team volunteers only. RSVP here!
| |
Docent Meet-Up
Thursday, June 16, 11am-12pm
Garden of Fragrance
Docents and Children's Walk Guides are invited to join Crystal and Chloe for a casual walk in the Garden. We will gather in the Fragrance Garden from 11-11:15am, and then take a stroll through the collections to see what's in bloom. You are welcome to bring lunch and eat together afterwards.
| |
Volunteer Spotlight: Marlies Bruning, Bean Sprouts Volunteer
After retiring in 2018, Marlies Bruning volunteered with the John Muir Green Team and, in early 2021, transitioned to the Children’s Garden Bean Sprouts program. "I volunteer at Bean Sprouts almost every Saturday, helping families enjoy the garden. Everyone is in a good mood when they come to the garden, so I always enjoy the visitors’ energy. Families come from many different parts of the Bay Area and from around the world, and it’s a treat to meet so many interesting and diverse visitors."
Marlies also helps with plant sales, and the Flower Piano and Garden Feast events. "I enjoy spending time with the wonderful staff at the garden and have learned a lot from them. I inherited the garden gene from my mother, a German immigrant to Wisconsin who always grew plenty of flowers and vegetables. I don’t have an especially green thumb, but I have always enjoyed gardening at home and investigating the many beautiful plants we enjoy in the Bay Area." Marlies says the Zellerbach Garden’s “sea of purple” is one of her favorite spots at SFBG, which she enjoys on her weekly walk to the Children’s Garden.
We’re grateful to Marlies, and to all of our Children’s Garden volunteers, who, through the Garden’s educational programs, help us engage children and families to discover and learn about nature. Be like Marlies, and consider joining our special Children's Garden training to help out!
| |
Special Children's Garden Training
Tuesday, June 7
10:00am - 12:00pm
The Children's Garden will be a lively place this summer and we're getting ready! If you'd like to be a part of the fun, please join us on Tuesday, June 7 at 10am for an orientation to the Summer Bean Sprouts Family Days program.
Learn how to use our new, colorful, and creative Garden Activity Cards - brand new for this summer!
Whether you've been a regular volunteer already or would like to get started, you'll enjoy learning about the wonderful hands-on opportunities we have to share with visiting families. Programs will take place Tuesday through Saturday, so you will have a lot of opportunity to volunteer. We hope to see you there!
| |
- The library is now open on Tuesdays! With this expansion, the library is now open five days a week. The new hours are Friday through Tuesday, 10am-4pm. Be sure to check out the library's new art exhibit, Native Water Lilies of Yellowstone: Fine Art Photographs by Wilbur Wong.
- Garden Feast was a fabulous success! It was wonderful to gather with supporters and friends in the beautiful Celebration Garden for the first time. Our special guest speaker Robin Wall Kimmerer inspired generosity, learning, and a shared love of plants. Together we raised $400,000 to support our Youth Education programs and extraordinary plant collections!
- The California Native Garden is in bloom! The California poppies in the meadow with the blooming California buckeye is spectacular. Another beautiful flowering tree to check out is the handkerchief tree Davidia involucrata in peak bloom just west of the bamboo pond.
| |
Thank you all so much for welcoming me into the volunteer community with open arms! I am so grateful for all of the connections we've made. Even though I'll be moving back into my Garden Camp Director role, I hope to stay involved with the volunteer community where I can.
I'm so excited for Crystal to join the Garden team, and I know you all will have a great time getting to know her too. See you in the Garden soon!
Warmly,
Jenn
Jenn Tapler | Program Manager
__________________________________________
San Francisco Botanical Garden
P (415) 661-1316 Ext. 404
C (443) 617-8177
9am-5pm, M-F
jtapler@sfbg.org
P.S. Did you miss an update? Catch up by viewing past newsletters on Volunteer Central.
| |
|
Give, join, renew, or upgrade your membership here
| |
|
|
|
|
