Weekly Express-News Article
By Calvin R. Finch, PhD, SAWS Water Resources Director, and Horticulturist
Saturday, November 24, 2007
“Gardening Volunteer Opportunities”

            Do you love gardening and want to learn more about it in a fun, low pressure way while you are doing great service to the community?  Consider participating in one of the gardening volunteer groups in our region. 

            The Bexar County Master Gardeners is the first group to consider.  They offer the most formal training and volunteer service regime. 

            To be a Master Gardener, you must apply for a training slot and if accepted attend the thirteen week, four hour/week training course.  The Master Gardeners are organized, trained, and supervised by the Texas Cooperative Extension.  To remain in good standing you must perform 50 hours of volunteer service each year and receive six hours of continuing education each year.  There is a $200 training fee. 

            Bexar County Master Gardeners are not the oldest chapter in the United States or Canada, but they have a very proud history.  For a number of years in the 90’s the chapter performed more volunteer service in the community than any other chapter.  They also hosted two International Master Gardener Conferences and have received many Texas and National Awards.

            The next Master Gardeners Class begins February 27, 2008.  For more information, call (210) 467-6575 or visit the website www.bexar-tx.tamu.edu.

            Master Gardener Chapters also exist in Guadalupe County and Hays County.  Contact the Extension Service Office in the respective County to obtain more information.  The phone number in Guadalupe County is (830) 379-1972, and in Hays County, call (512) 393-2120.  Gardeners that do not have their own MG Chapter may often participate in the Chapter closest to their home county. 

            Garden Volunteers of South Texas are similar to the Master Gardeners in many ways, and, in fact, a large number of area gardeners are active members of both groups.  The GVST perform services in water conservation, charitable plantings, and adult education.  The organization offers several education programs every month for members and the public, but there is no formal training required to be a member.  A set amount of voluntary service is not required to be a GVST member.  For more information, contact them at (210) 522-9220.  The GVST website is www.gardeningvolunteers.org. 

            Another great opportunity exists at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.  Docents at the garden receive free training and serve as tour guides or work in one of the many exhibits.  The Garden’s staff is excellent teachers in all things horticulture so it is a fine place to perform volunteer service and improve your gardening knowledge.  Many Master Gardeners and GVST members do their service at the Botanical Garden or you can volunteer directly.  The Children’s Garden Program sponsored by the San Antonio Men’s Garden Club at the Botanical Garden is an especially good place to learn about organic vegetable gardening.  Call (210) 207-3255 for more information. 

            If your yen for training and volunteer service is heavy on native plants, and especially ecology, consider the Audubon Center Docents (210) 628-1639, or the Master Naturalists (210) 372-9124.