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Here is information about Volunteering at the Georgeson Botanical Garden in
Fairbanks. The link to their Volunteer Application is being redone and will be
posted here later.
Volunteer Orientation May 1, 2010
Who: For all new volunteers, wannabe new volunteers...or those of you who
haven't been around in a while and want a refresher.
What: Orientation around the garden and basic information about what it means
to be a volunteer at the GBG.
Where: We will start out in the GBG classroom in the Visitor Center. 117 W.
Tanana Drive. We will take a walk around the farm, so please bring appropriate
attire (muck boots, warm clothes etc.).
When: Saturday, May 1. 10-noon.
Please RSVP to Katie:
kmdicristina@alaska.edu
474-6921
Benefits of being a GBG Volunteer in Fairbanks, Alaska:
Volunteers get to work with very nice people and learn while getting good
healthy exercise.
Volunteers are invited to a volunteer appreciation dessert where we have a
slide show and talk about plants from somewhere special in the world. The topic
varies with the travel locations of staff and members.
After 10 hours volunteers become volunteer members. They have full membership
advantages and then some. Volunteer members are allowed to pick berries,
transplant perennials and take a few home, even pick a few annual flowers on
special occasions.
Volunteer members are invited to the spring plant sale before anyone else.
They also get 10 % off for every 10 hours they have worked up to 50% off. So, 10
volunteer hours gets10% off, 20 volunteer hours, 20% off, and so on.
Volunteer members get 20% off at the end of season sale in the gift shop.
Volunteer members get 20% off at the Christmas sale held in Wood Center in
mid December.
Volunteer Job descriptions:
- Plant Propagation Committee; work closely with GBG staff to asses plants
desired for the spring plant sale and propagate them in a timely manner.
Training: ongoing as new plants need propagating. Time Commitment: Varies
depending on time of year. Likely more hours in spring and fall than at any
other time.
- Horticulture Assistants; assist in planting and maintaining the outdoor
gardens: transplanting, watering, weeding, pruning, fruit and vegetable
harvesting, collecting and cleaning seeds, etc. Assistants may also collect
data and maintain records of research plots. Training: introductory workshop;
Time Commitment: 3 hours per week mid May through mid September; variable
through the winter.
- 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. Training: Introductory workshop; Time Commitment: 3 hours per week in
spring, variable 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; and other university programs. 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. Training: Introductory workshop and
sales workshop; Time Commitment: 3 hours per week mid May through mid
September; variable through the winter. Extra volunteers are needed for the
annual plant sale from mid April to the first Saturday in May.
- Library Assistants; assist in maintaining a collection of books and
publications relating to horticulture and assist patrons in locating
information. Training: individual training as needed; Time Commitment: 3
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, trellises, etc. Skills
in carpentry, painting, construction, and design are especially needed.
Training: general introductory workshop; Time Commitment: 3 hours per month.
- Education and Tourism Assistants; assist in coordinating and promoting
educational programs and tours of the garden. Responsibilities may 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. Training: general introductory workshop,
education workshop, and attend two GBG classes per year free of charge; Time
Commitment: 3 hours per week in summer, varies in winter.
- Special Events Coordinator; coordinate events, generate publicity and
educational programs to promote the Garden. Training: general introductory
workshop; Time Commitment: Varies with the event.
- Office and Data Processing Assistants; work in a variety of areas
providing assistance in computer record keeping and data entry, preparing bulk
mailings and public service announcements, developing
interpretive signs and labels for GBG programs. Training: general introductory
workshop; Time Commitment: 3 hours per week in summer, varies in winter.
- Fund raising Committee; assists in developing a fund raising program that
will lead to a permanent endowment for the Garden. Responsibilities include
direct mailings and coordination of activities such as raffles, educational
programs, etc. Training: general introductory workshop; Time Commitment:
Varies with event.
- University Credit for Work Experience; earn college credit for work
experience in certain programs of the botanical garden by completing an
independent study program called Horticulture Practicum. Credits vary with the
time commitment but generally involve 4 hours per week for 15 weeks (60 hours
total) for each credit. Inquire for details.
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