Like so many other non-profit organizations, the Fullerton Arboretum has many diverse volunteer needs. With our 26 acres and several business, educational and event activities, paid staff could not possibly support all these activities—most of which are critical to the success and funding of the Arboretum. This page includes a general overview of volunteer opportunities, a basic map of the grounds, special events overview and hours of operation. Please refer to this page for future reference. For additional information regarding any aspect of the Arboretum volunteer operations, visit the Arboretum website at www.fullertonarboretum.org or call (714) 278-4798; email to hbouldin@fullerton.edu.

Fullerton Arboretum Mission Statement

Provide our visitors the opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciation of the plant world through collections that preserve and promote stewardship of worldwide plant diversity and regional agricultural heritage. Serve faculty, students and the broader community through education and scholarly activities.

Purposes of the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum

To assist the Arboretum by contributions of service and funds; to educate and inform the community about the purpose and function of the Arboretum; and to foster public support for the Arboretum.

Special Programs

In 2008, we introduced a new volunteer/community service program for scouts, called "Scouting for Wagons." Fullerton Arboretum is pleased to announce this new program to meet service project needs for local scout troops. “Scouting for Wagons” promotes Daisies, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to provide a valuable community service for the Fullerton Arboretum.

The “Scouting for Wagons” program encourages scouts of all ages to collect used wagons in good condition, paint them green and then decorate them to reflect their troop number, motto or service project title. Through our Volunteer Office, troop leaders may arrange to deliver the completed projects and a photo to be taken of the troop and their donated wagons. Photos will be featured on the Fullerton Arboretum website as well as local media outlets.

Donated decorated wagons will be used by Arboretum patrons while visiting the garden for plant sales and other garden events. For more information and to arrange for a “Scouting for Wagons” assignment, please contact Harriet Bouldin, Volunteer Coordinator at 714-278-4798 or hbouldin@fullerton.edu.

Getting Started As a Volunteer

To work on the Arboretum grounds in any capacity, you must be a current member of the Friends and complete two forms: The Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum Volunteer Information Form (VIF) and the CSU Volunteer Identification Form (VID).

There are links on this page to the many support groups on the grounds offering volunteer opportunities. Using your application information and the needs of the Arboretum, we will invite you to participate in the group(s) where there is the best fit. Each group will provide training and additional information to you, as needed.

Special Events

There are many Friends’ special events during the course of the year and we always need support and volunteer assistance. We always need additional volunteer assistance before and during these events. Additionally, there are various classes and other events at the Arboretum that need volunteer assistance. The Arboretum website lists all current and upcoming events.

Useful Information

Parking: Please park in the lot at the front of the Arboretum unless instructed otherwise. The Cal State Fullerton lot, which is across from ours, requires a parking pass on weekdays.

Restrooms are at the NE corner (women’s) and NW corner (men’s) of the Nature Center building and in the museum pavilion complex.

A pay phone is on the west wall of the Nature Center building.

First Aid and Emergencies

Minor injuries: First-aid kits containing bandages and the like may be offered to individuals who wish to treat minor injuries. There are kits in the Nature Center, plant sales (The Potting Shed, nursery, Oak Hall and Heritage House).

Serious injuries: Use the pay phone at the Nature Center (NOT YOUR CELL PHONE, WHICH CONNECTS TO CHP!) and dial 911 to reach the police, who will summon the paramedics.

Commitment

We expect each volunteer to contribute a minimum of six hours per month. Because of the seasonal nature of many volunteer jobs, the distribution varies from month to month, depending on the group and immediate needs. Many volunteers spend additional time at special events, particularly Green Scene. If you are unable to make a scheduled commitment, it is your responsibility to inform your contact person, as soon as possible, so that a replacement can be found.

In exchange for your commitment, experienced staff and volunteers will oversee your projects, answer your questions, and help you understand your job and the Arboretum. The Arboretum staff and volunteers promise to make your experience rewarding and educational.

General Volunteer Guidelines

The Fullerton Arboretum values the considerable efforts made by all volunteers to help ensure our long-term success and value to the local community. Volunteer support for the Arboretum is very important to help in our business operations generate much needed revenue to support Arboretum operations. The following Volunteer Guidelines are designed as a general guide to ensure individual safety, improve security, promote consistency and help streamline operations so we can maximize our efforts more efficiently.

1. All Fullerton Arboretum Volunteers must be current members of the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum and keep their membership current.
2. All Volunteers must complete and have an approved CSU Volunteer Identification Form and a Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum Volunteer Information Form on file before they can volunteer for any activities.
3. All Volunteers should wear their official Volunteer Name Badges at all times while doing any work for the Arboretum to ensure proper identification by the public and staff.
4. All Volunteers should sign-in when they arrive and sign-out when they leave so the Arboretum can track all volunteer hours. The accounting of Volunteer Hours is very important to Arboretum for reporting purposes.
5. Volunteers should park in designated Volunteer Parking Spaces in the main front parking lot only. A valid Volunteer Parking Permit is required when parking in the main parking lot to avoid a possible ticket. Some exceptions to this are made for special duties and work. Consult your Support Group leader or our Volunteer Coordinator if you have any questions.
6. Volunteers are encouraged to carpool whenever possible to help minimize traffic and parking problems in the rear parking park of the Arboretum.
7. If you have been assigned a special gate pass code, please do not share it with anyone. Each code is assigned by the Director and cannot be transferred. This is a violation of Arboretum policy.
8. Designated “Handicapped” parking spaces are available in both parking lots. These spaces are reserved for people with legitimate handicap needs only and their cars must bear the appropriate registration tags.
9. Always drive slowly and carefully in designated areas and while entering and leaving the parking lots. There are children, students and elderly visitors that might be hard to see. Exercise caution at all times and be aware of nursery equipment and personnel. Never drive your vehicle on the Arboretum grounds.
10. Volunteers may not bring any plant materials, such as seeds, seedlings, cuttings, grown plants or other mature plant materials (including used pots or soil) into the Arboretum without the express advance approval and inspection by the Nursery Manager, Grounds Manager or Director. There are no exceptions to this policy. Volunteers should report violations of this policy immediately to their Support Group leader.
11. The Arboretum is the property of the California State University system and the Redevelopment Agency of Fullerton. All plants, pots, equipment, fixtures, accessories, soil and chemicals, plus any other property are owned exclusively by The Arboretum. No Volunteer may remove any property owned by The Arboretum from the premises without the express consent of the Nursery Manager, Grounds Manager or Director. The removal of any plants or property is unlawful and may be considered theft. There are no exceptions to this policy.
12. Volunteers should always have a scheduled date for working, which agrees with a master schedule prepared by their immediate Staff or Support Group leader or supervisor. Unscheduled volunteer activities sometimes occur, and should be pre-approved by a staff or Support Group leader. The scheduling of Volunteer activities is very important to ensure no conflicts exist with The Arboretum’s master schedule.
13. The use of illegal drugs and alcohol while volunteering are strictly forbidden. This activity poses a danger to the person using these substances, as well poses a danger to other Volunteers and Staff members, plus Arboretum visitors. Please consider others and restrict smoking to areas that are away from working and visitor areas.
14. Any form of discrimination will not be tolerated by the Arboretum. This includes any acts by Volunteers or Staff. This includes, but is not limited to sexual, ethnic, age, gender, disability, religious or other. Volunteers must report any actions they deem discriminatory immediately to their Staff supervisors or Support Group leader and a report must be filed with the Director of the Arboretum.
15. Volunteers must report any personal injuries, accidents or medical problems immediately to their Staff supervisor or Support Group leader or another Staff member and a written report should be completed. This includes any injuries which may not be noticeable at the time of occurrence, but show up later.
16. Any inappropriate discussions, complaints or verbal altercations between the Fullerton Arboretum Staff and or between Volunteers will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If Volunteers have any personal problems with other Volunteers, their work assignments, Staff Members or others, they should immediately report them to their Staff supervisor or Support Group leader in confidence. The Arboretum Staff will make every attempt to remedy any problems Volunteers may have. Supervising Arboretum Staff personnel are responsible for resolving these issues. Any policy issue or question will be forwarded to the Director of the Arboretum for resolution.
17. If a violation of Volunteer policy is considered grounds for dismissal by the Director of the Arboretum, Volunteers must agree to return their Volunteer Name badge and will not be able to return to the Arboretum as a Volunteer until or unless the situation is remedied and approved in writing by the Director.