Nature lovers are being called on to consider joining the volunteer guides team that deliver garden tours at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
“We are always on the lookout for volunteers to lead PlantBank and garden walking tours,’’ says volunteer manager Julz Strykowski, pictured above during a tour.
“These public tours run both weekdays and weekends. Training is provided and all that is required of volunteers is a passion for learning and a willingness to talk to visitors.
“We have volunteers guides of all ages and backgrounds, who relish being part of the plant community,’’ she said.
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is home to large displays of native plants and leading botanical research institutions such as the National Herbarium of NSW and Australian PlantBank offers a rich and diverse landscape for people to deliver public facing tours in the South West Sydney area.
Viriginia McDowell, a long -serving volunteer guide at the Australian Botanic Garden, has loved connecting people with plants over her years 10 years of volunteering service.
“As a local with a love of botanical science and native plants I attended the PlantBank opening event over 10 years ago, and I was asked if I wanted to volunteer here. I said yes without hesitation and have never looked back,” Ms McDowell said.
Volunteers in 2024 supported the Botanic Gardens of Sydney by delivering over 43,000 hours of their time.
“One of the extra perks of volunteering is access to exclusive staff led Behind the Scenes Glasshouse tours, a sneak peek into the National Herbarium and discounts at the Foundation and Friends Growing Friends plant sales,” says Ms Strykowski.
If you are interested in exploring becoming a volunteer at the botanic gardens, visit their website here: https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/volunteerbotanic-gardens-sydney
