Badseed - Oh, I see!!! I knew from our first meeting that she was a plant nut. I just didn't know she was a SELFISH plant nut!! LOL HEHEHEHEHE Actually, if she doesn't follow through, I'll tell you what color her hair REALLY is!!! ((((((GRIN)))))
Hi drdon - Boy, you go all the way back to the Garden having the parking lot right within the grounds!! In addition to the brand spanking new entrance, we have a wonderful new Arid house for the cactus and succulent collection that's only a few years old. Plans are underway to expand the plant deck (where we sell plants daily) by 60%, which will help a great deal. We also have a new volunteer facilitator (my boss) who is just fantastic. Most of the hort staff are Ph.D.s, have been there for many years, and all of them are extremely dedicated to the work they do.
The other volunteers are really nice people who have a lot of experience in their respective areas. I count on that a lot since mine is fairly narrow - cactus, succulents and bulbs. I know about a lot of common plants, too, but I certainly don't have the extensive knowledge that many of the other volunteers do. But the one area that most of them don't know IS cactus and succulents, so I guess it evens out.
Last but certainly not least, after having several directors who were basically there in name only (and to have the position added to their curriculum vitae), our new director (as of July 1, 2003) is completely involved in the Garden. He retired from UC after being a full professor, department head and chairman in several departments over the years. He really knows his way around the UC bureaucracy, and has been able to accomplish a lot of tasks because of that. I think he's having as much fun as we are, and he's a delight to work with.
Can you tell I really enjoy volunteering there? Hope you can come to the Garden the next time you're up this way. It's still a very peaceful place. If so, let me know.
I'm not familiar with the situation at Longwood Gardens. What happened there?
