Volunteering for the Palomar
College Arboretum benefits everyone involved. There are
always projects that need to be done and help is always
needed. The volunteer core truly are what keeps the
Arboretum growing as they provide the man power
necessary to maintain such a large collection. They
spend time in the background working to keep the nursery
going; harvesting, cleaning, and planting seeds or
cuttings to provide us with new and interesting
specimens to admire and learn from. Volunteers also
spend time in the Arboretum helping to water, trim,
plant and transplant as needed.
Opportunities to learn about plants
and general landscape maintenance give volunteers a
better understanding of the world around them and how
important humans are in the delicate balance of our
world. Some days you're dirty and some days not so much
but you’re always learning and having fun!
See photos
of the Beautification Day Events
We greatly
appreciate and thank you for your contribution to this campus enhancement
project that will benefit all of us.
Volunteering Time for the Palomar College Arboretum
First off, thank you for your interest in volunteering
to assist the Palomar Community College District
maintain the Arboretum. This is a huge task and takes
countless
hours to keep all the gardens growing. We are often
asked; what does an Arboretum
volunteer do? How many hours would a volunteer be
expected to work? Can anyone volunteer? These are
all great questions that are addressed below:
Tasks assigned to volunteers range completely
upon an individual’s knowledge, experience and
physical limitations. Some horticultural experience is a
plus; however it is
unnecessary. Basic level tasks include raking leafs,
sweeping, weeding and watering. Other
complex tasks like trimming and planting may be
asked of volunteers if they have been trained properly
by the Grounds Services
staff. We are responsible for the health of
several very rare and in some cases, endangered plants
here at the college. In an effort to keep track of the
large and diverse plant collection a data base of all
the plants here on campus is maintained. Help with this
huge undertaking is always wanted.
In
addition, to
maintaining the District’s
plant collection we operate our own nursery and
propagation area. We also maintain a seed bank for
several of the more rare and unique plants. Plant
propagation work is vital to what we do here in the
grounds department. Without our efforts to grow and
reproduce many of the rare and unique plants found on
campus, the college would not look and feel the way that
is does. The plants help to provide an atmosphere unique
to Palomar College and create an aesthetic value that
students, faculty, staff and visitors all enjoy. Seeds
and cuttings of our specimens are collected from various
places and propagated here in our nursery. With the
diversity of plants on campus volunteers have an
opportunity to work with Cactus, Succulents, Trees,
Shrubs and a multitude
of plants from around the world. There are many
opportunities for volunteers
to learn and help in many different
ways.
Volunteer(s) requirements:
You must be over the age of 18.
Reference the Human Resources
Website:
http://www.palomar.edu/hr/Personnel/volunteers.htm
Effective July 1, 2009,
fingerprinting is now required for all volunteers.
There are no exceptions to
this policy.
The volunteer must turn in
his/her volunteer packet along with the complete
Request/Recommendation for Volunteer Service form to
Human Resource Services in order to receive the Request
for Live Scan (fingerprint) form.
Human Resource Services must
receive and review the Live Scan (fingerprint) report
prior to the department allowing the volunteer to start.
We request
that volunteers commit to at least 4 hours per
week and submit to the grounds supervisor a
record of hours worked on a monthly basis.
Once approved, all volunteers are
expected to conduct themselves according to district
standards. We hope this information answers your
questions about volunteering with us and we
look forward to hearing from you!!
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