Over 200 volunteers share their time and talents with the staff at Lotusland throughout the year, staffing the garden shop, maintaining the grounds, assisting with office procedures, and leading tours of the garden. The various areas/departments described below are always in need of enthusiastic volunteers, eager to assist in the operation of a world-class organization.

Docents lead tours of the historical Lotusland estate and its various gardens 9 months out of the year, interpreting the exotic plant collections for visitors. A bi-annual training program provides top-notch lectures and classes for those in the community who wish to volunteer to lead tours. Click for information on Docent Training, Fall 2007.

LIBRARY

Library Volunteers assist with cataloguing, shelving and general upkeep of a small library (700 volumes). Minimum of two hours per week.

Garden Shop Associates answer visitors’ questions and welcome them to the gardens. Training is provided. The Garden Shop is open mid-February to mid-November, Wednesday through Saturday.

Grounds Volunteers work with gardening staff performing tasks such as watering, weeding, raking, digging, and planting. Minimum requirement of six hours per month.

Office Volunteers perform general office and clerical work such as typing, filing, photocopying, affixing mailing labels, sealing envelopes, mail metering and other tasks. Minimum of two hours per week.

Often on short notice, Lotusland calls upon Special Project Volunteers for help with large mailings to members, picking fruit to donate to local charities, or other such projects where more hands are better than fewer. Volunteers work on an "on call" basis. Time commitment varies.

Hospitality Volunteers coordinate welcome tables for botanical, horticultural and other VIP groups visiting the garden and assist with refreshments for various meetings and member events.

TOP

LOTUSLAND

Santa Barbara, California