The North Bay Heritage Gardeners are a local, non-profit organization with over 250 volunteer gardeners who maintain and enhance ornamental gardens along the Lake Nipissing waterfront. No gardening experience required! FREE education sessions are offered to grow your gardening knowledge.
The gardening season runs from May to October each year, kicking off with a spring community cleanup in May and finishing by planting bulbs in October. Volunteers are placed in teams along the waterfront and garden under the guidance of a Team Leader. A Guest Gardener program is available for occasional gardeners. Teams typically spend 1-2 hours per week maintaining their garden bed.
Volunteerism is a cornerstone in the success of the Heritage Gardeners. It is only through the active engagement of a substantial group of volunteers that the Heritage Gardeners can accomplish its plans and make significant progress towards fulfilling its mission. Therefore, as a progressive non-profit organization, our commitment is to a volunteer service which ensures a satisfying experience. A Volunteer Appreciation Symposium is held each year to thank volunteers from the previous year.
There are many ways to get involved with the Heritage Gardeners beyond gardening Interested volunteers are asked to contact the Heritage Gardener Executive Director.
BECOME A HERITAGE GARDENER IN THREE STEPS:
1. Complete and sign a registration form;
2023 Volunteer Form (Fillable)
2023 Youth Volunteer Form (Fillable)
2. Log your hours;
3. Review the Safety Guidelines & Volunteer Handbook.
VOLUNTEER GARDENING OPPORTUNITIES
- Recreational Gardener
- Team Leader
- Executive Committee member
- Guest Gardener
Team Leader helps with the design, planting and maintenance of the waterfront garden beds and coordinates their garden team’s gardening activities. The Team Leader is responsible for attending the annual spring meeting and maintaining communication with team members.
GARDEN TEAMS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
The following teams are looking for more members to join them in their garden beds. Click on each team name to get a look at their garden!
Bed #37 – Weedeaters (Tuesday’s at 10 AM)
Bed #40E – Sundial Flower Buddies (Wednesday’s 8 am)
Bed #40C – Dizzy Diggers (Thursday’s at 9 am)
Bed #47 – Team Leader and Volunteer Gardeners
Bed # 50 – Puppy Willows (Thursday’s at 9 am)
Bed #52 – Secret Keepers (Tuesday’s at 10 am)
If you’re interested in volunteering with any of these teams, you’ll need a completed volunteer registration form available here. If you have any questions or require further information, please reach out to us by emailing: heritage.gardeners@heritagenorthbay.com
BEYOND GARDENING
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Open positions are listed below; the commitment involves attending monthly meetings and special events.
Recording Secretary (1 position) full position descriptions and details available here.
Funding Chair (1 position) full position descriptions and details available here.
Education Chair (1 position)
Advisor (2 open positions) will serve two years with a third-year option and will:
- Provide support drafting business plans, setting goals and analyzing the feasibility of executing the plans;
- Provide guidance on legal, marketing, and finance aspects as required for project development;
- Assist with annual review of policies and procedures.
A signed registration form is required EVERY YEAR by each gardener. In order for the City’s insurance to cover all volunteers, each person much be registered every year.
Registration Forms are e-mailed to volunteers that registered the previous season. Hard copies are available for pick-up/drop-off at the Heritage Gardeners office and Discovery North Bay Museum, during regular business hours.
North Bay Heritage Gardeners 