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Midwinter Fair

What's Growing - January 2, 2024

Interpretive Volunteer Updates
Dear Volunteers,
This January marks the 130th anniversary of the opening of the Midwinter Fair of 1894. While the Japanese Tea Garden originally opened as the Japanese Village and Tea Garden on December 27, 1893, the Midwinter Fair held its grand opening on January 27, 1894. You can read more about the history of the Japanese Tea Garden by visiting Section Supervisor Steven Pitsenbarger's page, joining a City Guides walking tour, or listening to KQED's 2022 Bay Curious episode The Complicated Origins of SF's Beloved Japanese Tea Garden. 

Weather Reminder and Conservatory Closure


As we often see rain at this time of year, it's helpful to review our volunteer program weather policy which is in the Volunteer Handbook. The weather can be unpredictable so the best course is often to be in clear communication with your Staff Contact for the day of. In addition to what is shared in the handbook, interpretation station volunteers now also have the option to switch from a Botanical Garden assignment to a Conservatory one when the weather calls for it, just as Anna and Jeff did this past December (Anna is pictured above).
In addition, please note that the Conservatory's annual maintenance closure is scheduled for January 10 - 24 and will not be available for interpretation station and roving assignments during that time. 
Magnolia Training Reminder

Magnolia Training This Month


Now that it is January, magnolia season is just around the corner and our two trainings are too! We hope you can attend both of these distinct training opportunities. If you have any questions, please email Sarah Sawtelle at ssawtelle@gggp.org. 

Part 1: All About Magnolias & Volunteering During Magnolia Season
January 17, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
Register here >> 

Join Plant Records Manager Tory Stewart to brush up on your knowledge of Magnificent Magnolias. This training will be recorded but we hope you will join us for a live presentation and Q&A. We will also cover volunteer opportunities and logistics for magnolia season.

Part 2: Magnolias: Garden Tour & Interpretation Station Training
January 20, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 
Register here >>

Join the Education team for a training on a new magnolia interpretation station, and take a garden tour to learn about how the iconic magnolias in the Botanical Garden's collection connect to stories of magnolia adaptations, cultivation, and conservation. 

Interpretive Volunteer Registration and Resources


Conservatory of Flowers: 

Register to volunteer:

Japanese Tea Garden:

Enjoy a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden:

Botanical Garden: 

Register to volunteer: 

Enrichments and Events


Meet-up: Nature Journaling
Monday, January 8, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Library Terrace, Botanical Garden
All volunteers are invited to an informal meet-up group focused on nature journaling. Bring a notebook and supplies and join fellow volunteers for this group inspired by Wild Wonder Foundation. 
Register here >>

Developing the Gardens' Interpretive Master Plan
Tuesday, February 7, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Zoom event
The Director of Programs and Partnerships, Jamie Chan, and Engagement Manager, Sarah Sawtelle, will lead a presentation about the Gardens' recent Institute of Museum and Library Services grant to develop our Interpretive Master Plan. Join Jamie and Sarah to see what we have learned and hear our plans for the future. 
Register here >>

Book Group: Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Thursday, February 8, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Helen Crocker Russell Library, Botanical Garden
All Gardens volunteers are invited to our next Book Group event. The next book the group will discuss is Gathering Moss: a Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Register here >> 
In addition to the anniversary, training, and events shared above, we also have two public events that I wanted to ensure you're aware of so that you can share this with visitors at the Gardens. On January 20, MISTER G, author and performer will join us at the Botanical Garden. You may have recently heard of MISTER G since he is also the author of the book featured in our Children's Garden Storybook Stroll, Señorita Mariposa. In addition, we are also hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration on February 11. Volunteer opportunities will be posted in our upcoming Volunteer Monthly Newsletter if you are interested in finding ways to get involved beyond helping us spread the word about these wonderful community events. 
Best wishes,
Crystal

Crystal Lee Stone | Volunteer Program Manager
__________________________________________
Gardens of Golden Gate Park
P (415) 661-1316 Ext. 400

9am-5pm, M-F
clstone@gggp.org

P.S. Did you miss an update? Catch up by viewing past newsletters on Volunteer Central.
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