BTA VOLUNTEERS ROCK IN 2020!

By Shelbi Storms, Public Programs Manager

Where would Boyce Thompson Arboretum be without our volunteers? They support our day-to-day operations by taking admissions and staffing our Visitor Center. They help keep our gardens looking their best by regularly raking trails, pulling weeds and monitoring plant health. Our volunteers, especially the Superstition Mountain Master Gardeners, help us propagate plants all year long, helping us with our conservation efforts and providing us with plants for our semi-annual plant sales. They lead many tours and are our front-line educators. Nearly every aspect of our operations is enhanced by volunteer participation and dedication.

The love and enthusiasm of our volunteers is remarkable. We put out a call for volunteers who might be interested giving tours in the new Wallace Desert Garden. What happened? Thirty-six people answered and signed up for 16 hours of training! Most of these participants were active volunteers, but a few were new to BTA. While we were unable to open the Wallace Desert Garden in March 2020 as planned, our volunteers now stand ready and able to guide visitors. Reservations are required, and due to high demand, tours are filling fast, but as more volunteers return, we'll schedule additional dates and times.

A simple “thank you” never seems to convey how grateful we are. With volunteers by our side, BTA is able to work diligently towards the execution of our mission every day. They are an integral part of our team and we are grateful to have so many passionate individuals on our side.

Thank you, volunteers!

This past year, volunteers contributed 9,967 hours, or the equivalent of five full-time staff members! Arizona values a volunteer hour at $25.43, bringing the total contributed to $253,447. We always knew our volunteers were special, but quantifying it like that shows their indisputable impact.