Reiman Review
The 2nd Annual Volunteer Spring Photo Contest Winners are…
Posted April 28, 2022
Thank you to all of our photo submissions AND for those of you who voted. The votes are in, and are winners are…
- Best Photo of Reiman Gardens: Linda Wendt
- Best Garden Photo from Your Backyard: Anne Kretsinger-Harries
- Best Nature Photo from Your Neighborhood or Community: Linda Wendt and Anne Kretsinger-Harries (tied!)
Voting Now Open for 2nd Annual Volunteer Spring Photo Contest!
Posted April 9, 2022
It’s time to vote for your favorite photo in this year’s Volunteer Spring Photo Contest!
Vote now!
Choose your favorite in each of these categories:
- Best Photo of Reiman Gardens
- Best Garden Photo from Your Backyard
- Best Nature Photo from Your Neighborhood or Community
A winner from each category will be awarded a gift certificate to this year’s spring plant sale. The volunteer who has the photo with the most votes will also have the opportunity to share more of their photos in a Garden Room exhibition the following year.
Vote now!
Voting is open to all volunteers and Reiman Gardens’ staff now through April 23. Winners will be contacted the week of April 23 and then announced on social media.
-Taylor
Volunteers In Action – March 2022
Posted April 9, 2022
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
2nd Annual Volunteer Spring Photo Contest
Posted March 5, 2022
Join in the fun for our second annual Volunteer Spring Photo Contest! Share your favorite images in one of three categories:
- Best Photo of Reiman Gardens
- Best Garden Photo from Your Backyard
- Best Nature Photo from Your Neighborhood or Community
2021 Winners:
A winner from each category will be awarded a gift certificate to this year’s spring plant sale. The volunteer who has the photo with the most votes will also have the opportunity to share more of their photos in a Garden Room exhibition the following year.
Submit your photos now through Saturday, April 2 to rgvolunteer@iastate.edu (Maximum of three photos total per volunteer, 1 photo per category.)
Voting will be open to all volunteers and Reiman Gardens’ staff from April 9 through April 23 (voting information provided in April).
Winners will be contacted the week of April 23 and then announced on social media.
We cannot wait to see all the beautiful images you have to share! Good luck!
Volunteers In Action – February 2022
Posted March 5, 2022
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
2021 Volunteer Impact Report
Posted February 8, 2022
Updated News from Taylor
Posted February 1, 2022
Dear Reiman Gardens Volunteers,
Volunteers In Action – January 2022
Posted February 1, 2022
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
News from Taylor
Posted January 26, 2022
Dear Reiman Gardens Volunteers,
I wanted to share the news with you all that I have accepted a position with the ISU Foundation – Director of Volunteer Engagement for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This is a brand-new position for the University, and I am really excited about the opportunity and possibilities. My new office will be on the central campus, so I will drive by the Gardens in and out each day.
As excited as I am to start this new adventure, it was an extremely difficult decision to make. The 5+ years I have spent here at the Gardens have been amazing, thanks in large part to all of you! I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me to the community, for sharing your time and energy with us, and for your ongoing support and championing of the Gardens and our mission. I feel honored to have been a part of such a wonderful group of people and organization.
My last full-time day at the Gardens is Saturday, February 12. But I plan to continue to work part-time on Saturdays while the search is on for a new candidate. I hope to help train this new person when they begin later this spring. I will check my email periodically weekdays after I begin my new position, so you can still reach me for any needs or questions.
Thank you again for everything! I look forward to continuing my support of the Gardens and will definitely visit, and even volunteer, in the near future!
Taylor
Volunteers In Action – December 2021
Posted January 6, 2022
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
Save the Date – January Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
Posted December 21, 2021
How satisfied are you with your volunteer experience?
Posted December 7, 2021
We want to hear from you! How satisfied are you with your volunteer experience with Reiman Gardens? Share all your comments, suggestions and ideas – both good and bad – so we can improve what we do for you!
2021 Volunteer Satisfaction Survey
We are collecting volunteer feedback between now and December 31. We hope that you will share your experiences with us!
Thank you for your time and for everything you do!
Taylor
Volunteers In Action – November 2021
Posted December 7, 2021
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
Community Partners for 2021 Winter Wonderscape
Posted November 22, 2021
You can support local community organizations during the month of December at Reiman Gardens. During the Winter Wonderscape holiday light show, Reiman Gardens is partnering with Altrusa International of Ames, Edwards Elementary School, Sawyer Elementary School, ISU S.H.O.P., Food at First, and Raising Readers to support their organizations and to provide volunteers to staff the light show.
We are collecting the following items during the light show:
- Edwards Elementary & Sawyer Elementary Schools: Boys and girls new socks and underwear, and lightly used or new clothing (sizes small-large)
- ISU S.H.O.P. (Students Helping Our Peers) & Food At First: Canned soup; instant oatmeal; peanut butter, jelly, and hazelnut spread; canned soup; any canned fruit or vegetables (except green beans); crackers; dried or canned beans; dry or instant rice; quick meals like Hamburger Helper, Ramen, Mac & Cheese; condiments; international seasonings, sauces, curry pouches; paper products like paper towels and toilet paper; various toiletries; bottled water or juice; laundry, dish, and hand soap
- Raising Readers: Gently used children’s books for their Little Free Libraries
- We are not collecting any items for Altrusa International, but to learn more about their organization and how they support Ames, please visit their website at https://districtseven.altrusa.org/ames/
Bring items to donate during Winter Wonderscape or drop them off to the Reiman Gardens lobby daily during standard business hours from 10:00am to 4:30pm.
Thank you!
Taylor
2022 Internship Applications Now Open
Posted November 12, 2021
Applications are now being accepted for summer internship opportunities at Reiman Gardens. We are looking for great students who want both work and educational experiences this summer in a variety of areas including:
- Greenhouse Production & Glasshouse Maintenance (spring through summer)
- Event Management
- Horticulture: Community & Edible Gardening
- Horticulture: Landscape & Ornamental Gardening
- Horticulture: Turfgrass & Irrigation
- Plant Collections & Records
- Retail Management
- Youth & Family Education
For more information about the internship program, visit: http://www.reimangardens.com/internship-program/
If you are interested in applying, please do so online by Saturday, December 31, 2021. Click here to get to the applications: http://www.reimangardens.com/career_categories/internship/
Please contact Sara Merritt, Director of Education, with any questions at smerritt@iastate.edu.
Volunteers In Action – September & October 2021
Posted November 11, 2021
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
Beautiful Butterfly Bulbs
Posted October 22, 2021
Butterfly Daffodils
Brianna and I are bummed that we had to cancel this weekend’s volunteer appreciation event. However, we still have a special gift to share with you! We have a bag of daffodils for you to plant in your garden or to share with anyone who needs a little cheer. These daffodils are a Butterfly “Mixture” and feature striking, fragrant, and ruffled flowers. They are pollinator friendly, and are resistant to deer, rodents, and rabbits. You have plenty of time to get them into the ground this fall for a beautiful spring display!
You can pick up your bag of bulbs at the Reiman Gardens’ front desk starting Sunday, October 24 through Friday, November 5. Bulbs are available while they last.
-Taylor
You’re Invited!
Posted October 5, 2021 (Updated October 21, 2021)
Join us Sunday, October 24, from 4:00-6:00pm for an evening of fun celebrating all of you! We’ll have live music from the Washer City Agitators outdoors in the Events Plaza, festive fall games, and sweet treats in the Gardens. Sycamore Falls will also be open to explore. Please RSVP by using this link , with the number of your guests, by Friday, October 22. Hope to see you all there!
Taylor
P.S. This event is Brianna’s (my fall intern) leadership project, so she’ll be there to celebrate with us!
Meet Our Fall Volunteer Program Intern, Brianna!
Posted August 31, 2021
Brianna Martinez
Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois
Major: Landscape Architecture; Minor: Spanish
Why are you interning with Reiman Gardens?: I took this opportunity to learn more about non-profit organizations, how to plan events, and how to utilize volunteers.
Future plans: After graduation I want to work on public parks at a design-build firm.
You can find Brianna at the Gardens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through the end of the fall semester. Brianna will be helping with various volunteer activities, including in the Butterfly Wing, gardening projects, pumpkin carving, and the holiday light show. Please say hello if you see her around!
Volunteering During ISU Home Football Game Days
Posted August 31, 2021
The ISU Football season officially starts this weekend with a home game against Northern Iowa! Go Cyclones!
Reiman Gardens is open for regular business hours on home game days, but our parking lot is taken over by game attendees and tailgaters. Because of limited parking access, we typically do not schedule any volunteer days or other volunteer projects on home game days. The one exception is our Butterfly Wing Docent activity; the Wing is open during the day and we want to ensure that visitors still have access to this important and engaging feature.
If you are a Butterfly Wing Docent and volunteer on Saturdays, do not worry! We have parking passes available specifically for you to use on home football game days. All Butterfly Wing Docents scheduled to volunteer in the Wing on a home football game day, and are planning on driving themselves that day, need to pick up their parking pass at the Gardens’ front desk before game day. Parking passes will not be available for pickup on game days, so please make arrangements to pick up your pass before that day. Please look at this parking map to learn more about parking during home football games: 2021 Football parking map
If you do not want to worry about parking, but would still like to volunteer in the Wing those days, we encourage you to get dropped off, ride your bike, or walk to the Gardens on home game days.
For your calendar, here is a list of home game days for the 2021 ISU Football season:
- September 4 – UNI (3:30pm kickoff)
- September 11 – Iowa (3:30pm kickoff)
- October 2 – Kansas
- October 23 – Oklahoma State
- November 6 – Texas
- November 27 – TCU
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
-Taylor
Volunteers In Action – August 2021
Posted August 31, 2021
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
Sycamore Falls Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Posted August 17, 2021
Join us for the grand opening of Reiman Gardens’ signature new garden space, Sycamore Falls, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 15 at 4:00 p.m. Reiman Gardens’ staff including Ed Lyon (Director), Sarah Rummery (Director of Horticulture), and Ed Moran (Senior Horticulturist) will be stationed throughout the space to answer questions and talk about the project’s development.
Sycamore Falls features a water wall, wide meandering stream, waterfalls, and a tranquil reflecting pool. A grassy meadow and bright perennial plantings border and enhance the water feature’s path. The iconic landmark and focal point is a custom-built tower overlooking the site and serves as the first welcome to Iowa State visitors arriving on University Boulevard.
Free admission to Reiman Gardens for everyone from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. No preregistration is required.
Hope to see you all there!
-Taylor
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Caterpillar Club Volunteers Receive Governor’s Group Award
Posted July 31, 2021
This past Thursday, Reiman Gardens’ staff gathered to celebrate three of our volunteer leaders who received a Governor’s Group Volunteer Award for their ongoing dedication and support of our weekly children’s program, Caterpillar Club. Rick Bartosh, Sarah Binder, and Natalie Welter are an extremely talented group of volunteers who collaborate to develop and implement this program. Over the past few years they have elevated Caterpillar Club to a popular program that children and families look forward to every week. The adults know they are in a trusted and safe space; the children are excited to learn, to interact with nature, and to explore the Gardens. Rick, Sarah, and Natalie have created a welcoming environment and feeling of community for everyone who attends, regardless of whether they attend every week or are new to the group. Their eagerness to teach others, their love of children, and their appreciation of nature is obvious to anyone who attends this program. We cannot thank them enough for their ongoing support of and dedication to Reiman Gardens.
Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award Program – now in its 37th year – provides a way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award. “Reaching out and lending a helping hand is at the core of who we are as Iowans,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “For 37 years, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program has recognized those with a deep commitment to serving their communities in unique and meaningful ways. It’s truly an honor to recognize their work and convey the gratitude of our state.”
Please congratulate Rick, Sarah, and Natalie the next time you see them!
-Taylor
P.S. This year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards official ceremony was held virtually. To view a recording of this ceremony, please click here.
Pictured from left to right: Ed Lyon (Director of Reiman Gardens), Rick Bartosh, Sarah Binder, Natalie Welter, and Sara Merritt (Director of Education) |
Volunteers In Action – July 2021
Posted July 31, 2021
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
Updated Volunteer Name Badges
Posted July 28, 2021
Your new volunteer name badge is finally here! The next time you are at the Gardens to volunteer, you will find your new badge in the drawer under the check-in tablet. They were designed by volunteer Lea L.!
Name badges are currently filed by last name, but feel free to file them under your first name/middle name/nickname… As long as you can find it, file however works best for you! There are clips and green lanyards in the drawer that you can use, too.
If you are unable to locate your new name badge, just let me know and I will track it down.
-Taylor
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New Office Safety Protocol
Posted July 14, 2021
There have been some recent events that required us to review safety protocols. There will likely be more updates to follow, but one measure we are incorporating right away is to go back to keeping the main office doors closed during open hours. We recognize it is somewhat inconvenient for staff to have to use the keypad to enter the office every time, but some recent concerns make the extra effort a security measure appreciated by the office staff for a measure of feeling of security.
We realize that this new protocol makes it challenging for volunteers to access and collaborate with staff. We are looking at some options to provide volunteers easier access in the near future . In the meantime, we do not have a great way to access the offices, other than by knocking on the door. If you have a scheduled meeting with a staff member, you can also alert the front desk who can call the appropriate staff member to greet you at the door. We will update you soon on our next steps for accessing the offices.
Thanks for your understanding and consideration!
Ed Lyon, Director
Free Admission for Volunteers Every Day!
Posted July 6, 2021
Starting July 2021, Reiman Gardens volunteers who contribute 5+ hours in the past 12 months will receive free admission to the Gardens each and every day! This is not based on the calendar or fiscal year, so at any point in time, if you have volunteered for at least five hours within the previous 12 months, you can visit the Gardens for free! Your free admission is only good if you are a current volunteer; any of your guests will need to pay the admission fee. But, you can always encourage them to volunteer with you, so they could get in for free, too! There is no limit as to how many times you can use this volunteer perk – you could visit us every day!
To claim your free admission when visiting, just let the person at the front desk know you are a volunteer and they will look you up to confirm. See you soon!
-Taylor
Volunteer Resources Now Available!
Posted June 23, 2021
We have brought back many volunteer resources over the past several weeks, including the check-in touchscreen tablet at the front desk, the reopening of the volunteer break room, and the return of the chilled glass water bottles in the kitchen refrigerator. The volunteer break room is undergoing some updates, so you will see some new additions in there later this summer. And, your volunteer name badges are also getting a makeover this summer, too, with a new design created by one of our volunteers!
Are you unsure where to find all of these volunteer resources? Check out our virtual tour in our New Volunteer Orientation video to go behind-the-scenes and learn the location of various resources. (Skip to 16:11, closed captions available)
Do you need a refresher on how to use the touchscreen tablet? Check out the latest video in our new “How do I…?” video series: “How do I… Use the Touchscreen Tablet?” (Video is 2:30 minutes, closed captions unavailable at this time)
If you think of anything that we are missing or would like to have included, please let us know!
-Taylor
Volunteers In Action – May & June 2021
Posted June 23, 2021
Check out what volunteers have been up to recently at Reiman Gardens!
(Click on a photo to view a larger image)
