The East Bay Regional Park District maintains several historic gardens, orchards, and estates as well as native plant gardens and nurseries. The upkeep of these landmark gardens would not be possible without the dedication and care of our many garden volunteers. Join the team and help protect some of the Bay Area’s most precious natural and cultural resources.
GARDEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks (Fremont) - Weed, fertilize, and prune in the antique-variety apple orchard; help with gardening tasks at the Meyers Estate historical garden. Call Ron Mueller at (510) 544-3080 or RMueller@ebparks.org for more information.
Coyote Hills Butterfly Garden Volunteers (Fremont) – Help maintain the butterfly and nectar garden adjacent to the Coyote Hills Visitor Center. Contact Dino Labiste at (510)544-3215 or Dlabiste@ebparks.org for more information.
Regional Parks Botanic Garden Volunteers - The Botanic Garden is dedicated to the collection, growth, display, and preservation of California native plants.
There are several ways you can support the Regional Parks Botanic Garden as a volunteer...
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Become a docent and lead tours of the garden for weekend visitors and/or school groups. Docent training is offered once each year, usually in the fall and winter, with 20 weekly sessions of three-and-a-half hours each. Docent training is comprehensive, covering everything from basic botany to California plant ecology and interpretive techniques, and it is backed up by subsequent enrichment classes, including field trips. Contact (510) 544-3169 for more information or to sign up for the next training course.
Bgarden@ebparks.org - Help propagate and maintain potted California native plants offered for sale to the public to support the Botanic Garden. Plant sale volunteers meet at the garden in the potting shed area of the Juniper Lodge building on most Thursday mornings between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Volunteers are also needed to water the plants on Tuesdays and/or Sundays. Many of the volunteers are experienced horticulturists, but experience isn't necessary; volunteering for the plant sale is an excellent way to learn about native plants. Just show up at the potting shed at 9:00 am on Thursday and ask for Ron.
- Help maintain the garden (light gardening work such as weeding, raking, nursery work) under the supervision of the garden supervisor, usually working closely with a gardener. If you can donate your time on a regular basis (once a week, twice a month, etc.) and have some gardening experience, contact Joe Dahl, the garden supervisor, at 510-544-3167 or jdahl@ebparks.org
- Work with the board of the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in publicizing and raising funds for the garden through many different types of activities. No experience is needed—just a love of the garden and a desire to help. Friends board meetings are usually held in the garden Visitor Center auditorium on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m., and everyone is welcome to attend. Call (510) 544-3169 to verify meeting time and place, or email info@nativeplants.org for more information.
- Help the Seedy Friends group collect and clean seed of California native plants. The Seedy Friends is a group of Botanic Garden docents, plant sale volunteers, and others who collect seed to sell as a garden fundraising activity. The Seedy Friends usually meet on the third Monday of each month at 10:00 am in the Botanic Garden Visitor Center. Contact Jeanne Ateljevich at jateljevich@comcast.net.
