The UC Davis Arboretum is taking sign-ups for volunteer training, with sessions scheduled in January and February.

Suzanne Ullensvang, resource development manager, said the arboretum welcomes people of all skill levels. “We need people with enthusiasm and a positive attitude,” she said. “We can teach them everything else.”

Advance registration is required. The arboretum charges $10 for materials.

Volunteers can choose from among five programs:

• Naturalists—Assist the arboretum’s education staff during visits by elementary school classes. The naturalists guide small groups of children on nature walks and lead hands-on activities. Naturalists should enjoy working with elementary-aged students and be available to work at least one Tuesday or Thursday morning per week during the spring and fall seasons. An appreciation for nature, an enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to motivate children are essential. Training: 9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Jan. 13-Feb. 17.

• Fix-it crew—Help maintain equipment, facilities and public amenities. Fix-it crew members should enjoy working outdoors, have a basic level of physical fitness and be able to use hand tools and mechanical equipment safely and confidently. This team is suited for people who enjoy working with their hands and find it rewarding to repair and restore things. Basic orientation: 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 14. Additional training to be scheduled, depending on availability. Following training, volunteers will be asked to sign up for weekly three-hour shifts.

• Gardeners—Work with the horticulture staff to maintain and develop gardens and collections. Activities include planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, raking and path building. Volunteer gardeners should enjoy working outdoors and have a basic level of physical fitness. Training: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Jan. 14-Feb. 18. Following training, volunteers will be asked to sign up for weekly three-hour shifts.

• Nursery record-keepers—Work with the nursery staff to take inventory of plants, enter propagation data into a computer and update the nursery database. Records volunteers should enjoy detail-oriented work that involves critical thinking. Computer literacy is required but careful attention to accuracy is more important than speed. The work is quiet and independent, and suited to well-organized people. Training: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Jan. 14-Feb. 18. Team members will be asked to participate in regular workdays on Wednesday mornings.

• Office team—Work with the administrative staff to keep the front office running smoothly. Volunteers should enjoy working in an office setting: greeting visitors, answering phones and preparing mailings, for example. Volunteers also may be asked to do some computer work, to enter information. Basic orientation: 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 14. Additional training to be scheduled, depending on
availability. Following training, volunteers will be asked to sign up for weekly three-hour shifts.

For more information, contact Ullensvang, (530) 752-8324 or sullensvang@ucdavis.edu.