April is National Volunteer Month, and the volunteer season will begin at Laurelwood Arboretum on April 13. Volunteers work Tuesdays through Saturdays from April through October. Anyone who is interested in volunteering should email Carol Palmer-Yomtov, chairperson of the Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum volunteer committee, at cpygc@optonline.net. Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West in Wayne.

“The arboretum would not be as beautiful and healthy as it is without the hours of work put in by our volunteers,” said Carol Palmer-Yomtov, “Our volunteers prune, thin and propagate; divide and replant perennials; plant bulbs; mulch the gardens; and eliminate invasive weeds. We also have volunteers who help maintain and repair our structures. There is always work to do, something new to learn and someone new to meet.”

Masks are required and volunteers will be asked to maintain social distances. They should bring water, small hand tools and gardening gloves if they have them. Groups are asked to call 973-831-5675 or send an email to info@laurelwodarboretum.org to make arrangements in advance.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum also welcomes volunteers to join a committee or share special skills in writing, marketing, fundraising, publicity, computers or any other area.

Volunteers include students, scouts, corporate groups, Passaic County Master Gardeners and people of all ages. For further information about volunteering and to be directed to the area that best fits your interests and talents, please send an email to info@laurelwoodarboretum.org or call 973-831-5675.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum is the non-profit conservancy whose mission is to preserve and manage the 30-acre arboretum in partnership with Wayne Township.