The Botanic Garden at OSU is seeking garden enthusiasts

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

If you are a gardening enthusiast who is looking to learn more about gardening or willing to share your gardening knowledge while serving your community, then look no further. The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University is just the place for you.

Laura Payne, volunteer coordinator for TBG, is excited to announce applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Ambassador program. Applications are due by Jan. 15, 2015.

The Botanic Garden Ambassadors support TBG by providing assistance with garden maintenance, staffing open houses and special events, providing guided tours of the garden, helping maintain the plants in the greenhouse during the winter months and serving as TBG’s special representatives in the community. The Ambassadors also play a vital role in the development of new gardens and the programming TBG offers to adults and children.

Training for the Ambassador program consists of 13, four-hour training sessions covering all aspects of horticulture. Sessions begin Jan. 23, 2015 and run through April 17, 2015. The class will meet on Friday afternoons from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the educational building located at The Botanic Garden at OSU, 3425 W. Virginia in Stillwater. There is no registration fee; however, the course materials are $125. Ambassadors also agree to provide 40 hours of volunteer service to TBG by Oct. 31, 2015.

The educational material for this program is designed for the beginner or the advanced gardener. Topics to be covered include soils and composting, landscape design, plant disease, plant propagation, ornamentals, fruits and nuts, turf and weed identification, vegetables, woody ornamentals, entomology and pesticide safety.

For an application or more information about The Botanic Garden Ambassador program contact Laura Payne via email at laura.payne@okstate.ed, by phone at 405-744-4531 or in person at the Horticulture Resource Center located at TBG.