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November 2022
Dear Volunteers,
I'm excited to share that the Gardens of Golden Gate Park will host free programming over the next few months on the Golden Mile, near the Conservatory of Flowers. This space activation is in collaboration with Illuminate.org, SF Recreation & Parks and local landscape firm Fauvescraper Studio. If you are interested in hearing about future volunteering opportunities in this space, please let me know.
The yellow themed installation, You Are Here, features Ginkgo trees, a free library, and seating. Most importantly, You Are Here will be available for the public to enjoy through February 2023. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit the Ginkgos as their foliage shifts to gold.
With the autumnal changes in mind, I want to share a reminder that the last entry at the Botanical Garden is now at 4 pm and last entry at the Japanese Tea Garden at 4:30 pm, with both closing at 5 pm. Please keep this in mind when planning your time at the Gardens and speaking with visitors.
In addition, our SFBG Green Teams will be on pause from November 18, 2022 through January 24, 2023 due to the holiday schedule and winter weather. Other volunteer assignments will continue though and festive opportunities await so I hope to see you at the Garden soon!
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Join the Festivities
It's that time of year again! Our annual wreath-making event is on the horizon and we have a limited number of volunteer spots to help with this event on December 9 and 10.
To help out with this annual event, visit your Volunteer Portal and select "Events" under the "Jobs Category" at the top of the page to access the calendar - and make sure you select the December calendar to find these assignments.
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Volunteer SpotlightMohit Gandhi, Children's Garden Green Team
Photo and writing contributed by Steve Bell
Living nearby affords Children's Garden volunteer Mohit Gandhi the opportunity to be a frequent visitor to Golden Gate Park. “One day, I was walking through the area with the redwoods at SFBG and I serendipitously wandered into the Children's Garden. I thought it would be a great place to help out and improve my gardening skills—and here we are!” Mohit began volunteering with the Children’s Garden Green Team in March of 2022.
“I visited some botanical gardens when I was younger and I remember how magical I thought they were; it's nice to see our work facilitate those same feelings for the children who pass through the garden. I enjoy spending time with the other volunteers in a space so vibrant!”
The pruning, mulching, and weeding work is similar to our other Green Teams, but many Children’s Garden Green Team tasks are unique (e.g. collecting pine cones and organizing other natural materials, stacking branches for structures, dismantling "forts," maintaining themed spaces) to support the various activities and learning programs that go on there. While taming the wild berry bramble is a thorny problem in other parts of the Garden, Mohit says the Children’s Garden (planted!) red raspberries are one his favorites for a quick snack during a volunteer shift!
We appreciate the efforts of Mohit and our many volunteers who help make the Children’s Garden a unique, hands-on space for our young visitors to help stimulate their interest in plants and nature! Thank you, Mohit!
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Try Something New this Winter!
Children's Garden
The holiday season is a busy time in the Children's Garden for our volunteer programs! The Children's Garden Green Team will continue every Wednesday from 10 am - 1 pm during December. If you are interested in helping to care for this learning landscape, sign up and come on out!
If working with families is more up your alley, sign up for our Bean Sprouts Family Days volunteer program with special holiday extended hours during the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas - along with our normal fall hours.
This program will take a break in January and return in mid-February. To register for Children's Garden volunteer assignments, visit your Volunteer Portal and select "Children's Programs" under the "Jobs Category" at the top of the page to access the calendar.
November 15 Nursery Hard Hat Tour Event Support
Join our Philanthropy team for this special event! Volunteers will help lead guests from the Main Gate to the Nursery construction site at the Botanical Garden from 2:15 pm until approximately 5:30 pm. To register for this assignment, visit your Volunteer Portal and select "Events" under the "Jobs Category" at the top of the page to access the calendar.
Library Story Time + Craft Table
The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture is seeking outgoing, kid-loving volunteers for their Monday morning outdoor Story Time hour. Tasks include reading books, singing songs, and monitoring playtime after Story Time. Training will be provided.
In addition, the Library is also hosting a Craft Table so we are seeking volunteers who enjoy working with kids to help with the twice monthly Library Crafts for Kids program. Tasks include helping with setup, helping children with craft activities (gluing, drawing, painting, etc.), and clean up.
Craft Table volunteer shifts are the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, 1:30pm-4pm, and two volunteers are needed for each assignment. Activities take place in the Library Courtyard.
To sign up for either Library assignment, visit your Volunteer Portal and select "Library" under the "Jobs Category" at the top of the page to access the calendar. For more information, please email Sharon, the Children’s Librarian, at smurata@sfbg.org.
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In Memory
It is with great sorrow that we share that our dear friend and beloved volunteer, Madie Krois, passed away recently. Madie was part of the fabric of the Garden and will be missed. Her funeral was held on Thursday, November 3rd, at St. Anne of the Sunset Catholic Church in San Francisco.
Those who wish to send condolences to Madie's family can send them to Madie's sister and brother-in-law:
Mr. and Mrs. Richard DeCuir
3504 Hawkhaven Drive Rocklin, CA 95765
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Slices of Joy
SFBG Docents and Guides hosted a lovely series of enrichment events this past month ranging from a Tree Walk through the Botanical Garden to wonderful talks by Dr. Joanne Whitney and Rose Stewart. Thank you to our docents and guides who partnered with one another to host these events.
During October we celebrated Maja Joss on her last day at the Garden. Maja joined us for her sabbatical from Zurich, Switzerland and explored many aspects of the volunteer experience for her seven weeks in San Francisco. Thank you to everyone who helped make Maja feel at home during her time with us! Maja wanted to share this message with everyone at the Gardens.
On October 31, the Bookstore celebrated 2 years since reopening. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who help welcome visitors to our Bookstore and Plant Shop! Stop by the Plant Shop this weekend for our Winter Bloomers Plant Sale! You can anticipate varieties of California native plants for fall planting and blooming Salvias, Correa, Helleborus, hardy Herbs and Pelargoniums. This event takes place at the Plant Shop located next to the Bookstore at the Main entrance of the San Francisco Botanical Garden, November 12th and 13th, 10 am - 4pm.
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Wishing you a restorative and festive month as we prepare for the new year!
Best wishes,
Crystal
Crystal Lee Stone | Volunteer Program Manager
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Gardens of Golden Gate Park
P (415) 661-1316 Ext. 400
9am-5pm, M-F
clstone@sfbg.org
P.S. Did you miss an update? Catch up by viewing past newsletters on Volunteer Central.
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