Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Help Others Discover a World of Wonder,
Become a Chicago Botanic Garden Volunteer

Volunteers needed for Children’s education and
visitor services departments

 

Media Only:
Melissa Schuler
(847) 835-6829, direct
mschuler@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 28, 2007)—The Chicago Botanic Garden has many volunteer opportunities available this winter and spring. Only one of ten botanic gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums for its living collection of plants and flowers, the award-winning Garden offers volunteers an array of activities from which to choose.

Through the Garden’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Visitor Services department, volunteers can pursue several options. The CTL has openings for school field trip volunteer instructors and Visitor Services has open positions for tour guides, greeters, and visitor assistants at the Regenstein Center Information Desk.

The Garden’s Center for Teaching and Learning develops, delivers and evaluates plant-based educational programs for teachers, students and youth in grades Pre-K through 12. Volunteer school field trip instructors deliver basic plant science concepts through hands-on activities, exploration of the Garden’s collections and take-home projects for students. Volunteers must commit to teaching one half-day a week in the mornings, Monday through Friday. Work schedules are flexible to allow for personal commitments and appointments. Training will be provided.

“The volunteers learn a lot by sharing teaching experiences,” said Tracy Warwick, school programs coordinator. “Knowing that they have enlightened students’ minds to the wonders of our natural world is also a very rewarding experience.”

Applicants for Visitors Services will find numerous choices that suit their interests, skills, abilities and talents. As a greeter or Regenstein Center information desk assistant, volunteer’s will work with the public and assist with directions, welcome individuals as they walk through the entrance and provide information on Garden events. Additionally, the Garden relies on its volunteer tour guides to host adult groups and facilitate walking tours of its world-renowned plant collections, 23 gardens and three native areas and encourage a positive learning experience for all participants.

“We are looking for friendly, approachable individuals to provide excellent customer service assistance to all visitors,” said Darren Bochat, Director of Visitor Services. “The public’s appreciation of our indoor and outdoor exhibits comes to life through the involvement of our volunteers.”

The first step to becoming a volunteer at the Garden is to attend an orientation meeting and training sessions held in January of 2008.

The Chicago Botanic Garden has more than 1,100 volunteers who contributed their time and talents. In 2006, these dedicated individuals provided nearly 80,000 hours of volunteer service.

For information on volunteer opportunities at the Chicago Botanic Garden, call Judy Cashen, Manager of Volunteer Services, at (847) 835-6800, email jcashen@chicagobotanic.org or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/volunteer.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Melissa Schuler at (847) 835-6829 or at mschuler@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.