Science and Conservation Volunteers

Dedicated to studying and conserving native plants, medicinal species, and food and agricultural plants, our Science & Conservation activities at SDBG have grown enormously over the past few years. Volunteers within this department will work closely with the Science & Conservation team to conduct environmental restoration, rare and native plant nursery propagation, seedbanking and herbarium voucher preparation, and field botany.

Environmental Restoration Volunteer

Functions:
Assist in the establishment and maintenance of environmental off-site restoration sites. Functions include removal of invasive and other non-native species using manual methods and hand tools, native seed collection from natural areas, installation of native plants, watering native plants, trash removal, sign installation, and interacting with school groups and other citizen groups.

Knowledge or Training Required:
Knowledge of San Diego’s native and non-native plants. Training will be provided.

Competencies/Commitment:
Ability to work a full shift in the outdoors, ability to lift and carry a minimum of 10 lbs, and willingness to follow directions. 3 hours per week (currently Wednesday mornings). Prerequisites – minimum of 15 hours volunteering in the Garden in any position 

Science and Conservation Nursery Volunteer

Functions:
Assist in the propagation and maintenance of plants in the Science and Conservation nursery. Functions include propagation and care of nursery plants by sowing, transplanting, propagation by cuttings, watering, weeding, and cleaning and sanitizing of nursery equipment and areas.

Knowledge or Training Required:
Knowledge of plant propagation techniques. Training will be provided.

Competencies/Commitnent:
Ability to work a full shift in the outdoors, ability to lift and carry a minimum of 10 lbs, and willingness to follow directions. 3 hours per week (currently Thursday mornings). Prerequisites – minimum of 15 hours volunteering in the Garden in any position.

Seedbank and Laboratory Volunteer

Functions:
Assist in the conservation of plants in the seedbank, preparation and storage of vouchers in the herbarium, and other laboratory activities. Functions may include the set up, operation, and maintaining of laboratory instruments and equipment, cleaning and processing seed, drying seed, preparing seed for germination/viability testing, conducting germination/viability testing, drying vouchers, depositing vouchers, data entry, and laboratory cleaning and maintenance.

Knowledge or Training Required:
Knowledge of seed cleaning and conservation, seed germination/viability testing, and herbarium voucher preparation. Training will be provided.

Competencies/Commitment:
Ability to conduct careful, detailed work and keep clear records. Completion of laboratory training at SDBG. Minimum of 3 hours per week with a commitment of 100 hours total. 

 

Botanical Surveying Volunteer

Functions:
Assist in surveying for rare, endangered, and other plants of interest on natural areas in Southern California. Functions will include botanical field surveying, collecting field data and samples (seed and other plant tissue), making observations, and calculating and recording results.

Knowledge or Training Required:
Extensive knowledge of Southern California’s flora. While training will be provided, a solid foundation in botanical identification is requisite.

Competencies/Commitment:
Ability to work a full shift in the outdoors, ability to lift and carry a minimum of 20 lbs, willingness to follow directions and ask questions when tasks are unclear, ability to follow precise protocols, ability to use a dichotomous key. Full workdays (8+ hours), generally once per week (currently either Tuesday or Friday). Commitment to a minimum of 100 hours. Prerequisites – 15 hours of SDBG volunteering and an interview.