April is National Volunteer Month, and the volunteer season will begin at Laurelwood Arboretum on April 12 at 9 am at the arboretum’s pavilion. Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West in Wayne.
The volunteers will work until noon and then enjoy refreshments and a Volunteer Recognition event and educational program starting at noon. Guest speaker Dr. Heidi Tinter, PT, DPT, CSCS, of Paramus and Wayne Orthopedic Physical Therapy will discuss, “How to Garden Without Injuring Yourself.” Dr. Tinter has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Columbia University and is also a gardening enthusiast.
Following the educational program, Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA) will honor volunteers who worked 100 hours or more in 2015. Last year, FOLA volunteers logged a total of 9,374 hours.
“Volunteerism is the lifeblood of Wayne’s 30-acre horticultural treasure,” said Elaine Fogerty, executive director of the arboretum. “Our volunteers prune, thin and propagate; divide and replant perennials; plant bulbs; mulch the gardens; and eliminate invasive weeds. There is always work to do, something new to learn and someone new to meet.”
Volunteers are welcome to work in the park any Tuesday from April 12 through October. Individuals can drop in anytime and do not need to sign up in advance. They should bring water, small hand tools and gardening gloves if they have them. Groups are asked to call 973-202-9579 to make arrangements in advance.
In addition to gardening, there are a number of construction projects to maintain the bridges, paths, greenhouse and other structures in the arboretum. FOLA also welcomes volunteers who might prefer to work offsite to join a committee or share special skills in communications, fundraising, publicity, computers or any other area.
FOLA volunteers include students, scouts, corporate groups, Passaic County Master Gardeners and private citizens of all ages. For further information about volunteering and to be directed to the area that best fits your needs, interests and talents, please send an email to info@laurelwoodarboretum.org or call 973-202-9579.
Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum is the nonprofit organization that helps preserve and manage the 30+ acre property in partnership with Wayne Township. To learn more, visit the FOLA website www.laurelwoodarboretum.org.
Wayne Orthopedic Physical Therapy offers solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems combined with a “small clinic” approach. In addition to being a “green” company, it has also developed its very own Nature Sanctuary on the grounds, complete with native-plant landscaping to support the local ecosystem.