Become a Docent with the Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Weekly, 9am-12:30pm
Location: Upstairs Conference Room of the Udall Building, 725 Camino Lejo
The Botanical Garden at Museum Hill and the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve are fully staffed by trained volunteer docents. Docents are of all ages, walks of life, and educational backgrounds.
Our Docent Training Program provides both classroom and on-site training, preparing volunteers to interact with visitors. Each training session includes classes, walks, and digital presentations, taught by our Teaching Team made up of experienced docents, educators, staff, and resource professionals.
In order to volunteer, trainees are expected to attend all classes. Trainees may miss no more than two sessions, which must be made up when next offered. Upon successful completion of the training, tour preparation, and shadowing days, trainees can begin volunteering in the Botanical Garden at Museum Hill and the Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve. All volunteers must give a minimum of twenty hours per calendar year. Docents are responsible for the cost of materials and a personalized name badge, totaling $50. If this cost is prohibitively expensive, waivers are available through conversation with our volunteer coordinator. A discounted membership will be available at the end of training.
Day 1, February 4: Introduction, History, and Future of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Day 2, February 11: Botany
Day 3, February 18: Water and Erosion
Day 4, February 25: Geology and Soil
Day 5, March 4: Wetlands and Deserts
Day 6, March 11: Grasslands, Scrublands, and Forests
Day 7, March 18: Climate Change
Day 8, March 25: Fauna
Day 9, April 1: Culture and Art of Northern New Mexico
Day 10, April 8: Museum Hill Phase II and Ethnobotany
Easter Break
Day 11, April 22: Plants of Museum Hill Phase I
Day 12, April 29: Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve
Day 13, May 6: Conclusion, Policies, and Procedures