Garden Volunteers Tell of Their Inspiration

Posted in People on April 23 2009, by Plant Talk

Jackie Martinez is Director of Volunteer Services.

This week is National Volunteer Week, and we salute The New York Botanical Garden’s more than 1,000 volunteers who serve in a variety of roles: They enhance the visitor experience as greeters and tour leaders, maintain the Garden’s 250 acres as horticultural assistants, teach plant science to visiting school groups and families, assist with clerical work, and collect data on climate change as citizen scientists, among many other duties. Last year they clocked more than 80,000 hours of service. The success of exhibitions, programs, and events is due in part to the dedication of the volunteers who respond to our numerous calls for help with a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm.

No matter your interests, skills, schedule, or age (our volunteers range from 14 to over 90), you, too, can help the Garden in its valuable work. No experience is necessary—you’ll be trained for your specific assignment. Volunteers are needed year-round and on weekends as well as weekdays. You’ll receive free parking and discounts in the Cafes, in the Shop, and for Continuing Education classes.

What inspires people to volunteer at the Garden and what rewards do they get in return?

Three of our volunteers shared their stories:

Kefah Rihan lives in the Bronx and is a ninth grader at Cardinal Spellman High School. He serves as an Explainer in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, which was his favorite part of the Botanical Garden when he first visited at age three. A friend told him about the Explainer program. “I remembered how fun my visit to the Garden was. I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn new things. I get the chance to teach kids about the wonders of the Garden, and I made many new friends in the process. It gives you many skills in life and can help make you a more sociable person.”

Melisande Schwartzfarb, from Suffern, New York, first visited the Botanical Garden in the late 1970s as a second-grade teacher at P.S. 9 in the Bronx. Walking through the Garden that spring day, she and the schoolchildren marveled at the beautiful blossoms and emerging flowers. “The children were so excited and expressed wonder at having nature so close to their crowded urban homes. The picture of that special day is imprinted in my mind as if it was yesterday.” After retiring in 2002 she became a docent at the Garden. “I am gaining an incredible amount of knowledge through the ongoing docent training programs, lectures, observations, and Continuing Education classes. A whole new world has opened up for me. The joy of sharing knowledge with children and adults from all over the city, state, and world is most gratifying. In volunteering, you are offering a service needed and appreciated at NYBG. You will also discover many opportunities for learning and expanding your own horizons.”

Ignatius Galgan, of the Bronx, had been retired from the New York City Police Department when his wife saw an advertisement calling for Garden volunteers. He signed up and now helps in a multitude of ways. “It’s one of the best things that I have done. If you’re retired, it beats staying at home and watching TV. If not, volunteering at the Garden on weekends is like a mini-vacation. There are so many interesting things that you can do such as becoming a docent, a Garden greeter, helping with the various exhibits throughout the year. Want to learn about plants? How about working with some of the best botanists in the world? These are just some of the things where your help is needed. The Garden relies heavily on volunteers. I couldn’t think of a more rewarding, fun, and beautiful place to volunteer.”

Volunteering at the Garden is a great way to expand your knowledge of plants, give back to your community, meet new people, and share your love of the Garden with others. To get involved, call or e-mail Jackie Martinez, Director of Volunteer Services, at 718.817.8564 or volunteer@nybg.org or fill out an application at nybg.org.