Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum

The first volunteer day at Laurelwood Arboretum brought out an enthusiastic group, who immediately set to work clearing the space that is to be the new Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the Knippenberg Center for Education. Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA) welcomes volunteers every Tuesday from until October from 9 am to 12 noon. Volunteers learn alongside the horticultural manager and help to restore and improve Laurelwood’s gardens and beautify the unique Sensory Garden.

FOLA volunteers at Laurelwood Arboretum with Horticultural Manager Joan Scott-Miller (at right) pose for a photo before getting to work clearing the site for the new Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the Knippenberg Center for Education.

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FOLA Volunteers at work at Laurelwood Arboretum. From left, Horticultural Manager Joan Scott-Miller of Newfoundland, June Ra of Wayne, Tom Hennessey of Totowa, Nancy Alexander of West Milford, and Audrey Malec of Wayne.

April is National Volunteer Month, and the volunteer season will begin at Laurelwood Arboretum on April 14 at 9 am at the arboretum’s pavilion. Volunteers are welcome to work in the park any Tuesday from now to October. Individuals are welcome anytime, and do not need to sign up in advance. They should bring water, small hand tools, and gardening gloves if they have them. Groups are asked to call 973-202-9579 to make arrangements in advance. Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West in Wayne.

In addition to gardening, there are a number of construction projects to maintain the bridges, paths, greenhouse and other structures in the arboretum. Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA), the organization responsible for maintaining the park and managing the volunteers, also welcomes volunteers who might prefer to work offsite to join a committee or share special skills in communications, fundraising, membership development or any other area.

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Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum (FOLA) hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Saturday, March 14. The program featured a talk and slide show about Native Plant Gardens, presented by FOLA’s Executive Director, Elaine Fogerty. Ms. Fogerty was formerly County Agricultural Assistant, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County and has taught many of the Master Gardener classes.

“We are very proud of our dedicated group of volunteers who have put in so many hours in the gardens and greenhouses of Laurelwood Arboretum, as well as those who serve on the FOLA Board of Directors,” said FOLA’s president, Alice Moskowitz. “In the 8 years since 2007, FOLA volunteers contributed a total of 82,798 hours of work in the arboretum. This translates into an estimated value to the community of $2,098,726.”

Volunteers who have logged 100 hours or more were honored at FOLA’s Recognition Luncheon. The volunteers, many of whom are Master Gardeners, come from Wayne, Little Falls, Oakland, Pompton Lakes, Bloomingdale, Kinnelon, and other Passaic and Morris County communities. From left, back row: Roland Reynolds, Alex Fadynich, Nancy Fadynich, Jim McHugh, Betty Ryan, Peter Lowry, Lillian Sayeg, Dawn Healey, Alice Moskowitz, Mike Wilson, Carol Huber and Sara McHugh; Seated, from left, Jean Reynold, June Ra, Betty Montagne and Bonnie Joachim.

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