photo of three volunteers at the Gardens smiling and posing in the Butterfly wing

The 2021 Volunteer Impact Report is now available!  View the report here:  https://issuu.com/reimangardensvolunteers/docs/2021_volunteer_impact_report_final 2021 proved to be another year filled with unique challenges and creative opportunities. We were fortunate to welcome back more volunteers to the Gardens and were able to engage them with thoughtful and impactful activities that supported our community. […]

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group of volunteers outside in summer weeding

Volunteers are an important and imperative piece of everything we do at Reiman Gardens. We are so thankful for our volunteers and grateful to them for their ongoing support during this difficult time. Despite all the challenges and setbacks, our volunteers accomplished so much. From helping with projects from home, to planting […]

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group of volunteers planting in Sycamore Falls in spring

While this past year brought many challenges, it also provided us with opportunities to engage and support our volunteers in new ways. These shifts have not been easy for anyone, but our volunteers persisted, and for that, we are grateful. When our doors closed this past spring and summer, volunteer […]

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two volunteers kneeled over planting outside in summer

When I moved to Ames eight years ago I had plenty to keep me busy. A new home and yard always needs some attention when you move in. Generally, the colors in the house aren’t quite right so get out the painting materials. There were boxes and boxes of everything. […]

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close up photo of a red and black butterfly on a green leaf

Hello, my name is Lori Underwood.  I am an Iowa State alumni.  I moved back to the Ames area almost two years ago.  You may currently find me helping out in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing or with Caterpillar Club. There are many reasons that I enjoy volunteering at Reiman […]

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three people standing inside the Butterfly Wing with buttrflies flying around with plants and flowers

My favorite aspect of volunteering is interacting with our guests, especially our youngest visitors. The enthusiasm they bring into the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing lights up the space, and they always have the most interesting questions! On days when visitors are sparse, especially frigid winter days, relaxing in the Butterfly […]

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two adult volunteers with a group of children doing an educational activity together

I started visiting Reiman Gardens shortly after it opened twenty-five years ago. It was always a place to relax and enjoy the plants and grounds. Sometime after the Butterfly Wing opened, I began to volunteer as a docent there. I got to know other volunteers and the names of some […]

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people outdoors in spring with several volunteers working on putting up fencing

My name is Katie and I have been a volunteer at Reiman Gardens for around 7 or 8 months. I went a lot as a kid with my family to the Gardens, but only recently was I introduced to the opportunity to volunteer by a friend. Over the summer I […]

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group of volunteers raking outdoors in the early spring in bald cypress allee

What would we do without volunteers? We used to only theorize, but now we know the true answer: We would be sad and go crazy! We love and appreciate our volunteers so much, but we did not realize how much until they were gone. It is pretty ironic that we […]

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two interns pose witth Elwood the Worlds Tallest Concrete gnome in winter

Hey, all you cool cats and kitten! I hope I am not the only person obsessed with Tiger King during this period of quarantine. Reiman Gardens may not have exotic animals, but they do have some pretty cool people working and volunteering. Here is a little bit on why I […]

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