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Impact at a glance
11 volunteers | 40 service hours | 16 buckets of weed digged and eradicated.
The most common reason why people come to the LA Arboretum is to take a relaxing walk among the shady paths while watching peacocks roam around the grass. On our Saturday morning, we were all on our hands and knees fighting with taproots.
Non-Toxic SGV met in Arcadia to participate in a Day of Volunteering at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden and took care of garden beds and weed removal. Thanks to the team of the Arboretum and especially to Pamela Kermgard, who coordinated everything for us and provided us with clear instructions, we got straight to work clearing overgrown patches so curated botanical collections have the space and resources to thrive.
All told, we had 11 volunteers, 40 hours of hard labor, and 16 filled garden bins of pulled weeds. After everyone located a patch of dirt, there became a flow to things—a rhythm to the process. One dug up the soil around the base, another pushed down the dandelion weeders to uproot the whole root system without breaking the stem, and the third dragged the green waste bin down the path to continue moving forward.
Square foot by square foot, the garden beds returned.
What we worked on
Our main task involved careful weeding of selected cultivation spaces. No machines or power tools—we did all the work by hand. With hand weeders and dandelion weeders, the job consisted of digging up the soil at the base of each plant in order to remove the entire root system to prevent the invasion of unwanted weeds. Every little thing ended up in heavy-duty garden waste bins and then hauled off the plot.
The task might look simple and straightforward, but it is actually rather strenuous, monotonous and tiresome work. We did not show up to shoot some photos and be done with the job quickly—we were there to make our contribution to the horticulture specialists at the Arboretum so they do not have to deal with aggressive weeds and the competition for the moisture and nutrients in the soil.
Why botanical garden stewardship matters
One can easily see the garden only on weekends and think about it as a beautiful weekend attraction. However, botanical gardens are live museums and sanctuaries of biodiversity. At this stage of heavy development, these gardens are the living collections of unique plant species and habitats of pollinators for the community.
Invasion of the weeds drains the topsoil moisture, disturbs the drainage, and competes with the living specimens for the available resources. Physical removal of these weeds helps maintain the life of the living exhibits which thousands of people learn from every day.
Thanks to our partners and volunteers
We wish to say a big “thank you” to the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden for allowing our team to help out, and Pamela Kermgard for organizing and leading our activity efficiently. Thanks as well to our partner IvyMax for supporting our youth volunteer projects.
Most of all, we would like to appreciate our young volunteers who took time to rise early on Saturday, put on work gloves, and do the necessary work.
Looking ahead
Sustainable actions in the environment are not necessarily glamorous. A lot of it comes down to consistency—just showing up, working hard, and taking the care that is required by the local green space. Change takes time.
We will keep organizing more service days.
If you want to participate in one of our future projects or earn some verified volunteer hours with us, check your inbox or sign up below!
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