April is National Volunteer Month, and the volunteer season will begin at Laurelwood Arboretum on Tuesday, April 9.  “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, Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum Volunteer Chairperson.  “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.”

Volunteers can work any day Tuesday through Saturday from April through October from 9 am to 12 noon.  In addition to working in the gardens on Tuesdays, there are opportunities to volunteer Wednesdays, 9 am to 12 noon in the lilac garden; Thursdays 9 am to 12 noon in the Sensory Garden or with the plant collection management committee or rhododendron study team; Fridays, 9 am to 12 noon, pruning; and Saturdays, 9 am to 12 noon in the Native Plant Garden.   There is also a volunteer program for teens in the summer months on Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 noon.  All activities are directed by Laurelwood’s Horticultural Manager Joan Scott-Miller. “Come when you can, and you will be welcomed,” said Carol.

Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West in Wayne.  Volunteers start the day by meeting in the pavilion to the right of the Knippenberg Center for Education.  They should bring water, small hand tools and gardening gloves if they have them.  For additional information about volunteering, please send an email to volunteerchair@laurelwoodarboretum.org.  Groups are asked to send an email 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.  To be directed to the area that best fits your interests and talents, please send an email to volunteerchair@laurelwoodarboretum.org.