Botanical garden seeks volunteers

Dr. Walt Babula is a faithful volunteer at the Georgeson Botanical Garden

The nearly 100 volunteers who help out at the Georgeson Botanical Garden, a research facility of the UAF School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, play a critical role in the garden’s success.

As spring approaches, Professor Pat Holloway, garden director, is seeking new recruits who want to help in a variety of ways. While botanical experience is a plus, there are many talents that can be put to use.

Opportunities include:

Plant Propagation Committee: work closely with GBG staff to assess plants desired for the spring plant sale and propagate them.

Horticulture Assistants: help plant and maintain the outdoor gardens, transplanting, watering, weeding, pruning, fruit and vegetable harvesting, collecting and cleaning seeds. Assistants may also collect data and maintain records of research plots. Commitment is three hours per week mid-May through mi- September.

Greenhouse Assistants: work in the horticulture greenhouse maintaining a large collection of ornamental flowering and foliage plants, propagating plants, assisting in the production of vegetable and flower bedding plants including plug production, transplanting, fertilizing, and organic pest control. Commitment is three hours per week in spring, varies in summer and winter.

Gift Shop and Plant Sales Assistants: sell merchandise, inventory stock, price and display items, operate the cash register, and provide general information to the public on the gardens, volunteer and membership opportunities. Volunteers at the surplus plant sale prepare plants for sale, prepare plant identification and price tags, help move plants to the sales area, assist the public in answering questions about plants, and maintain the cash box. Commitment is three hours per week mid-May through mid-September. Extra volunteers are needed for the annual plant sale from mid-April to early May.

Library Assistants: assist in maintaining a collection of books and publications relating to horticulture and assist patrons in locating information. Commitment is three hours per month.

Landscape Construction and Maintenance Assistants: assist in the design, construction, and maintenance of interpretive signs, benches, decks, garden paths, planting beds, irrigation systems, rock walls, and trellises. Skills in carpentry, painting, construction, and design are especially needed. Commitment is three hours per month.

Education and Tourism Assistants: assist in coordinating and promoting educational programs and tours of the garden. Responsibilities include organizing the annual class schedule, giving tours and classes, developing educational programs for children, and coordinating programs with local schools and child care centers. Commitment is three hours per week in summer.

Special Events Coordinator: coordinate events and educational programs.

Office and Data Processing Assistants: computer record keeping and data entry, prepare bulk mailings, develop interpretive signs and labels. Commitment is three hours per week in summer.

Fundraising Committee: assists in developing a fundraising program that will lead to a permanent endowment. Responsibilities include direct mailings and coordination of activities such as contests and educational programs.

For application, visit here.

Volunteers are honored at a dessert party and receive special discounts at the gift shop and plant sale. After ten hours, volunteers earn a free membership. University credit for work experience is also available, with a sixty-hour minimum commitment.