|
|
September 2020
Dear Volunteers
I hope you all are doing well and taking care of yourselves with this latest challenge- the smoke-filled air. Many people, neighbors throughout the state, have been hit hard by the fires. We are thinking about you and sending love to the flora and fauna (especially humans) in the affected areas.
Cancellations due to Air Quality
The Garden's policy on Air Quality is that volunteer activity will be canceled during severe weather or in situations of unhealthy air quality. If the Air Quality Index (AQI) is greater than 150 pm (RED: Unhealthy), all outdoor volunteer activity will be canceled, including tours, Green Team and volunteer groups, plant sales, and youth education programs. (pg 20 of Volunteer Handbook)
We will send email notification by 5pm the day prior if volunteer activity is cancelled. If the forecast is Orange or Yellow, volunteers should decide for themselves what level of activity they are comfortable with.
| |
Big News!
The Garden is using a NEW volunteer portal and sign-up system! Folks who have been active this summer have been introduced to the new system, but for those who haven't, I encourage you to check out Volunteer Central, the new volunteer website. You can see what volunteer programs are currently active, and how to sign up for volunteer shifts. Please note, if you haven't yet participated in a Re-Engagement or Refresher training, you should contact me before signing up for a shift.
You can find Volunteer Central from the Garden's website, sfbg.org/volunteer, then clicking the "Active Volunteers" button in the center of the page. Look for an email mid-September confirming your volunteer sign-in information. The former system, Volgistics, is no longer accessible.
One of the biggest changes for volunteers is that you will check in electronically when you arrive at the Garden. Don't forget to wear your name badge when you arrive at the Member's Entrance to check in (like with Gracia, above!). If you're recording visitor numbers (docents), you'll need to check out when leaving, but for all other roles your hours will be recorded automatically.
I understand that there are challenges with any new system, so I hope we'll be patient with each other as we learn our way around. Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions.
| |
New Nursery Update
To date, we have about $1.1M more to raise towards our $6.7M campaign goal for the new nursery. Many thanks to many Garden volunteers who have contributed to the campaign including, and especially, Delle Maxwell, Sarah Ryan, and Ruth Wilcox who also serve on the campaign committee. More information about the project and campaign can be found at: sfbg.org/new-nursery. All donations pledged by December 31 will be matched by Delle Maxwell and Pat Hanrahan. Recent notable contributions to the campaign include a $35,000 grant from the Campbell Foundation and a commitment for in-kind services focused on site preparation valued at $40,000+.
We continue to work with award winning firm Siegel & Strain Architects to refine the plans and Equity Community Builders on project management and entitlements. Recently, we hired Roebuck Construction to build the new nursery. Together, these firms are a top-notch team working with us on this critical project. Sometime this fall, we expect to go before the Recreation & Park Commission for approval. If timing goes according to plan, we’d begin demolition of the existing facility soon after Commission approval and start building the new nursery early in the New Year.
While a number of factors have slowed our progress, including the pandemic and related economic uncertainty, we are still moving forward and hope to open the new nursery in Spring 2022. It will be wonderful to have a safe, clean, modern nursery to welcome back volunteers and staff and expand our plant conservation efforts.
| |
Volunteer Opportunities
We will ease into fall by maintaining current volunteer programs. We may gradually expand shift opportunities or group sizes, but in general, we will continue as we are for a bit longer.
If you are interested and able to get involved, and the program you were formerly active with is not happening, I encourage you to consider trying something new. It doesn't have to be forever, but it can be a chance to meet a new group of volunteers and see the Garden from a different angle.
| |
Bean Sprouts Family Days
We are offering this popular program in the Children's Garden three days a week now, and need volunteers to welcome families and give them a special bucket of tools they can use to explore on their own. It is an incredibly inspiring place to spend your morning. Shifts are 9:45am-12:45pm and 12-3pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and 12-3pm on Wednesdays. No prior experience with kids required. Next training will be September 16 at 10:30am. RSVP to me (cwieland@sfbg.org).
THANK YOU to those who have been out there in July & August to pilot this new program!
| |
Welcome Tables
Join Judy Wong and other volunteers in greet visitors this fall at the Welcome Table, set up inside the Main Gate to help visitors discover the Botanical Garden. All volunteers welcome. Details and shift sign-up information available at Volunteer Central.
| |
Green Team
Green Team volunteers and Gardener's Assistants are key to keeping the Garden looking good. We have openings for volunteers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If you'd like to volunteer and can commit to participating weekly for at least 4 weeks this fall, let me know and I'll help you get started.
| |
Slices of Garden Joy
- The Garden is hosting beautiful micro-weddings throughout the fall (check out one here)
- Tune in to Curator Ryan Guillou on September 10 at 6pm for: "Protecting Plants Through Partnerships – Exploring Kenya’s Endangered Flora with San Francisco Botanical Garden and Botanic Gardens Conservation International" Register here >>
- Green Team volunteers planted young Diplicus, Artemesia california, Artemesia pycnocephala, Salvia spathacea, Monardella, Aesculus californica, Fragaria, and Frangula along the new paved path in the CA Native garden
- The Japanese Tea Garden has reopened and Garden Membership now gives you free admission!
- A beautiful set of tribute benches have been placed in the Garden in honor of Mary & Larry Pitts. Look for them in the Mesoamerican Cloud Forest off the Great Meadow.
| |
I'd love to include volunteer "slices of joy" here as well. Please feel free to send me any good news you'd like to have shared with the volunteer community.
All the best,
Chloe
Chloe Wieland | Director of Volunteer Engagement
__________________________________________
San Francisco Botanical Garden
P (415) 661-1316 Ext. 400
C (415) 629-2010
9am-5pm, M-F
cwieland@sfbg.org
| |
|
Give, join, renew, or upgrade your membership here
| |
|
|
|
|
