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 Volunteers are very important as they provide over 90% of the
physical labor at
the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens!
Our volunteer workforce is primarily composed of seniors, youth at risk,
youth working on special programs (merit badges or awards programs) and
people with disabilities. We also have opportunities for people of any age
and training, especially if they have special skills needed at the Gardens.
While there are many volunteer opportunities at the Cheyenne Botanic
Gardens although there are periods during the year when our volunteer slots
are filled and applicants must be placed on a waiting list.
Volunteers tasks are matched to your abilities.
Some people prefer hosting the front desk, some like to weed and take care
of the roses, while others prefer to work in the greenhouse grooming plants.
There is always something needing to be done. The rewards are learning about
gardening, solar energy while making new friends and taking home fresh
harvests.
If you require information about our volunteer program, please contact
Mr. ClausJohnson at 307-637-6458. or e-mail him at
claus@botanic.org.
Therapy in Action - Everyday, Everybody
The award-winning Cheyenne Botanic Gardens volunteer program is horticultural therapy in action and includes senior, youth and handicapped individuals.
As volunteer Adele Beedie explained in January on a warm, beautiful day in the conservatory, "Being here refreshes my soul. You can actually see the spirits of our volunteers rise once they start working with plants and enjoying the camaraderie of other volunteers.”
 Volunteers also receive the benefits of horticultural therapy and the self-esteem building knowledge that they are adding to the quality of life in their community.
Volunteers also make friends across generations and differing backgrounds. As CBG volunteer, Pauline McCabe (97 years young), often said, "The people are so friendly here." The volunteers create a sense of family among each other that is inclusive and can be felt in the ambience of the operation.
One of the younger volunteers, 17-year-old Katie Schroeder comments, "Plants are like music, they just make you feel good." It is certainly easy to see the spirits strengthening as everyone watches the flourishing of the seeds they have sown.
You will also see disabled individuals working with plants often in concert with a senior volunteer reaping the benefits of a harvest, transplanting or grooming plants.
Because labor is one of the costliest factors in maintaining a botanic garden, much is saved in Cheyenne when volunteers provide 90% of the labor. This offsets a major portion of labor costs that enables the project to survive on a proportionately smaller budget.
If you are interested in volunteering in any way please
contact Claus Johnson
at the Gardens.
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