Guidelines

The bed or planter should be adopted for one complete growing season (tentatively April through October depending on the weather).

Adopters may either be an individual or a group, however groups must identify one person to be the contact person. Youth groups must have appropriate adult supervision.

Planting is restricted to only those areas identified by the Museum as an adoptable location.

Sign up is on a first come, first served basis.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Attend a workday in the spring to prepare the beds after the winter season.

Remove and dispose of litter and weeds. Visit the site frequently to ensure good health of plant material (we suggest every two - three weeks). If a volunteer is out of town for an extended period of time, they can opt out of this maintenance by donating $25 per month of absence and the Museum will take over the maintenance of the bed during that time. These monies will be allocated to the program.

Provide own hand tools for bed maintenance.

Notify the Museum of problems or concerns.

Install mulch provided by the Museum when needed.

Plant and move plants approved by the Museum liaison as requested.

Museum Responsibilities

Acknowledge the adoption through signage placed by the bed or planter and/or provide signage of dedication if the adopter so desires.

Acknowledge the adoption in the Museum newsletter the New Mountain Echo.

Invite all adopters to the Museum’s annual Volunteer Party. Honor the adopters with a certificate of appreciation.

Provide information about the native flora to the adopters and visitors to the space, including historical/present day uses.

Monitor and adjust water requirements.

If at any time the the Museum liaison deems the flowerbed or planter to be unsightly, contact will be made with the individual adopter or adopter team lead. If identified issues are not corrected within fifteen business days, the Museum will take over the maintenance of the bed and may offer the bed to another group or individual.

Maintain the beds during the winter season.

Sponsor a Student

An adopter can donate $400 per year to adopt a bed. This money will be used to provide a student who is looking towards a career in anthropology, native plant science, natural history, horticulture, park management, or related discipline with a stipend. The student will assume the responsibilities of Volunteer as described above.

Get Involved

View available flowerbeds and complete both the Adopt-a-Native-Plant-Bed Program Application (TBD) and Release of Liability Agreement (TBD).

If you would like additional information or to have the Museum liaison come and speak to your group, please email flora@slvmuseum.org or call (831) 338-8382.