Natural History Wanderings

The Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA will be offering two types of volunteer training in 2016: Garden Volunteer Training and Docent Training.

The specific content of Garden Volunteer Training, which will run from mid-January through late March, will include information about many important plants in the garden. Except for the first couple of classes, which will focus on basic botany, plant identification, and garden history, the classes will take place fully outdoors in the garden.

Docent Training will include the 10 weeks of Garden Volunteer Training (mid-January through late March) followed by 10 more weeks of training in interpretive techniques and theme tour training in early April through early June. Most of the docent training classes will take place outdoors in the garden, as well.

Both Garden Volunteer Training and Docent Training are designed for prospective volunteers, and it is expected that those who enroll will volunteer their time at the garden after completing training.

Click read more for more information

Below is some basic information about each of the two types of volunteer training, and flyers with registration forms are attached to this message. Feel free to share this message and the attached flyers with anyone you know who might be interested in becoming a garden volunteer (plant propagator, Seedy Friend, gardener assistant, Friends helper/board member) or a docent.

GARDEN VOLUNTEER TRAINING

WHO:
For prospective volunteers who want to propagate plants for the garden’s sales, assist the gardeners, collect seeds, or help the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden 

WHAT:
You’ll learn about basic botany, plant identification, and pollination as well as the garden’s history and many of its important plants.

WHEN:
10 weeks in January-March, 9 am – 12 pm (choose either the Tuesday or Thursday section):

10 Tuesday mornings, Jan. 19-March 22, 9 am–12 pm, Instructor: Glenn Keator
OR
10 Thursday mornings, Jan. 21-March 24, 9 am–12 pm, Instructor: Stewart Winchester

WHERE:
Regional Parks Botanic Garden (the first class will meet in the auditorium)
Wildcat Canyon Road and S. Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Map and directions: http://bit.ly/1TjiiGk

COST:
$150—includes 10 weeks of instruction, materials, and a one-year membership in the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (current members will receive a one-year membership extension)
Scholarships are available based on need. Please contact the garden (bgarden@ebparks.org or 510-544-3169) for more information.

REGISTER:

1. Complete the attached registration form for “Garden Volunteer Training” (also available at http://www.nativeplants.org/wp-content/uploads/VolunteerTrainingFlyer2016.pdf)
2. Write a check for $150 payable to “Regional Parks Foundation”
3. Mail registration form and check to:

Regional Parks Botanic Garden
c/o East Bay Regional Park District
PO Box 5381
Oakland, CA 94605-5381

Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis and are due at the Botanic Garden by January 12.
Class size is limited to 15 participants on each day. Register soon to be sure of a space!

DOCENT TRAINING

WHO:
For prospective volunteers who want to lead tours of the garden as docents

WHAT:
You’ll learn about basic botany, plant identification, and pollination as well as the garden’s history and many of its important plants, PLUS techniques for interpreting the garden for visitors of all ages and specifics of themed tours we offer at the garden.  

WHEN:
20 weeks in two parts:
Part 1: January-March, 9 am – 12 pm (choose either the Tuesday or Thursday section):

10 Tuesday mornings, Jan. 19-March 22, 9 am–12 pm, Instructor: Glenn Keator
OR
10 Thursday mornings, Jan. 21-March 24, 9 am–12 pm, Instructor: Stewart Winchester

Part 2: 10 Tuesday mornings, April 5- June 7, 9 am – 12 pm, Instructor: various

WHERE:
Regional Parks Botanic Garden (the first class will meet in the auditorium)
Wildcat Canyon Road and S. Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Map and directions: http://bit.ly/1TjiiGk

COST:
$250—includes 20 weeks of instruction, materials, and a one-year membership in the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (current members will receive a one-year membership extension)
Scholarships are available based on need. Please contact the garden (bgarden@ebparks.org or 510-544-3169) for more information.

REGISTER:

1. Complete the attached registration form for “Docent Training” (also available at http://www.nativeplants.org/wp-content/uploads/DocentTrainingFlyer2016.pdf)
2. Write a check for $250 payable to “Regional Parks Foundation”
3. Mail registration form and check to:

Regional Parks Botanic Garden
c/o East Bay Regional Park District
PO Box 5381
Oakland, CA 94605-5381

Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis and are due at the Botanic Garden by January 12.
Docent Training class size is limited to 15 participants. Register soon to be sure of a space!