High Elevation Gardening Web Log "Blog"

A Few Volunteer Accomplishments:
Penstemon Garden
Butterfly Garden and curriculum
Nature Trail
Layman's Herbarium
Construction assistance in Herb Garden
Creation of plant labels
Construction of bookshelves, cold frames, and garden signs
Research assistance in plant ecology and rare plant studies
Office assistance with mailings, promotions, and special events

Benefits to Volunteers
Increased knowledge of high elevation plants and gardening techniques. Satisfaction of helping others become successful gardeners.

Satisfaction in helping Flagstaff's own public garden create beautiful gardens and teach Flagstaff residents and visitors about the horticulture and ecology of plants in our unique climate.

RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) mileage reimbursement for those over 55.

Invitation to the annual staff-hosted Volunteer Recognition event for volunteers working more than 25 hours by July 31.

Gift Shop and Plant Sale discounts: 10% discount to those working more than 25 hours. Volunteers working more than 50 hours during a calendar year will receive a 15% discount for the remainder of the year.

Volunteer Positions
Horticulture
Special Events
Research/Seed Collection
Visitor Services/Gift Shop
Education-Children's Activities
Administration
Library
Facilities (carpentry, woodwork, etc.)
Docent Program (information on request)
Raptor Program

Volunteer Position Descriptions
HORTICULTURE
Help with basic greenhouse maintenance and propagation work. Assistance is needed with such tasks as watering, pruning, seeding flats, potting plants, cleaning seeds, record keeping and general cleanup. Help is also needed in collecting seeds and cuttings from the gardens for propagation purposes and creating signage for plant sale items.

GARDENS
Assist in the maintenance of existing gardens and installation of new gardens. Duties may include pruning, weeding, watering, fertilizing, insect and disease control, soil preparation, drainage control, installation of irrigation systems and planting.

RESEARCH
Help gather data from ongoing experiments on threatened and endangered plants or plants with horticultural potential both on site and in the field. Work may involve taking measurements on plants, weighing plant parts, hand-pollinating flowers, germinating seed, preparing test plots, transplanting plants and recording survival information. Field trips for seed collection take place throughout the season.

ADMINISTRATION /PUBLIC RELATIONS
Assist with event publicity, photo and slide file, library, photocopying, and computer design and word processing, scanning, signs and flyers, information handouts, and internet searches.

VISITOR SERVICES
Assist with reception (phone and in person), admissions, gift shop sales, cashiering, restocking and re-shelving. Help with other department projects. Help during special events. Answer many questions about the Arboretum and its flora.

FACILITIES
Assist with routine maintenance of grounds and facilities, and work on special projects, including building outdoor seating.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Assist with the plant sales, and Fall Open House as part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Duties include event set up, cashiering, providing sales and gardening advice, helping children with hands-on activities, parking cars and restocking.

DOCENT PROGRAM
Present programs to the public, including two daily regularly scheduled garden tours, seasonal nature trail tour, scheduled public school field trips, scheduled group tours, and off-site presentations. The Docent program requires a significant commitment of time. Information is available upon request.

EDUCATION
Assist with scheduled school group programs, record keeping, photo and slide file, and computer design and word processing, including newsletter production, scanning, signs and flyers, information handouts, and internet searches. Update our website. Create classroom kits, and slide shows.

RAPTOR PROGRAM
Volunteers assist trained raptor rehabilitators with daily "Live Birds of Prey" programs for the visiting public. Assistance is needed in caring for birds, handling live hawks, owls, and falcons, and providing public education programs on environmental stewardship.