Working for a Greener District of Columbia

VOLUNTEERING AT THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

BISHOP'S GARDEN

There are volunteer opportunities galore in this enchanting garden, a favorite of locals and tourists alike.  Say you're still fairly new to gardening and want to learn.  Then join the Tuesday morning team in the Bishop's Garden, working with Suzanne Weber (a Baltimore Master Gardener) and her team of 8 to 12.  Suzanne says they're a tight group and they tackle a new project every week.

And if you're a very experienced gardener you

might adopt a part of the garden as your own

project, under Suzanne's overall supervision but

with lots of ownership feelings possible.  Suzanne

says there are some "very wise" volunteers who've

adopted certain parts of the garden as their special

projects, including researching and implementing

the best solutions for "their" garden.  Suzanne is

pictured here with DC Urban Gardener John

Wheeler, a long-time, trusted volunteer who usually

works on his own listening to his Walkman (or was

it an iPod?)

Maybe you're a history buff.  How about adopting a Medieval herb garden, or becoming a docent and give historical tours of the garden? 

OLMSTED WOODS 

Volunteers in the 5-acre Olmsted Woods are in a different world - the

woods, ya know.  Here in the Woods is Nate Heavers,  horticulture

manager at the Cathedral.  Nate says the Woods need help, too -

from people who like a cooler, wilder place to work where it's less

like traditional gardening and more like "guerilla gardening."  Just

think of the satisfaction to be had from removing huge piles of invasive

vines.  Volunteers here say that working in Olmsted Woods is fun and

filled with variety.

THE GREENHOUSE

More opportunities for gardening volunteers at all levels of expertise.  Details to be supplied.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING AT THE CATHEDRAL

- Making friends among the other volunteers - very cool people

- Socializing at various functions, including Volunteer Recognition events

- Participating for FREE in forums for Washington area gardeners offered by the Smithsonian

- Getting your own parking sticker

- Spending time in one of the most beautiful and peaceful places anywhere

TO VOLUNTEER: Contact volunteer coordinator Janice Molchon at 202/537-8990 or by email.  A commitment of 4 hours a week for the gardening season is requested. 

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