Volunteer Portal
What is the name of the volunteer portal FBP uses?
Volgistics
Who do you call when there is a non-life threatening incident?
Park rangers or the non-emergency police number
Where do you sign in/sign out and what do you take with you?
Visitors Center iPad and the cart to and from the Botanical Building
What does the Botanical Building showcase?
Tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean flora
What are the Botanical Building hours? Who operates the building?
10 AM to 4 PM, seven days a week. Operated by the City of San Diego, not Forever Balboa Park
How can you get to the volunteer portal from the organization website?
foreverbalboapark.org, scroll down and click Volunteer Login
What do you do if there is an emergency? Where do you go?
Call 911 and evacuate the building if you need to. Go to Muster Points
Where do the Botanical Building materials go?
Some materials are laid out on the central table, some can be kept in the cart, and everything is returned to the cart at the end of the day, including clickers (please do not reset)
What are the QR codes in each plant bed? Why QR codes?
Each plant bed has a QR code that goes to the website that details the characteristics of each plant and the region it is from. QR codes allow for more information and the map is accessible from anywhere, even outside of the building.
How long was the building closed for?
Nearly 3 years. Closed from January 2022 to December 2024. Reopened for December Nights. Refer to SDFA progression photos!
Which tab shows you available volunteer shifts for that month?
The schedule tab
Who fills out an incident report?
Only FBP staff can fill it out, with volunteer input
What do Botanical Building volunteers do?
Wear their badges and uniform, answer FAQs, help with scanning plant bed QR codes/ navigating the binder, give out business cards, and connect visitors to our organization
Where are the old plants? Will new ones be added?
Some of the larger trees stayed during construction but a majority were taken to the City Nursery. The new plants need time to grow and plants will be added over time.
Is the Botanical Building available for private events?
As of now, the City of San Diego has not made the Botanical Building available for private events. Stay tuned for updates from the City!
Which tab allows you to track hours and why is that important?
Service tab and it's for safety and grant reporting purposes
Where is the first aid kit located? Where do you get snacks and drinks?
In the back room across the bathroom. Snacks and drinks are in the Volunteer Office and Visitors Center.
What are the clickers for?
Counting each person you interact with. Please start at zero in the morning and hand it to the afternoon person, then put the clickers with the final numbers into the crate bag. Visitors Center counts it each day
Who picked the plants?
Horticulturalist Nan Sterman and Estrada Land Planning was the Landscape Architect
What were the Phase I renovations and how much did it cost?
Restored 1915 version with new windows and renewed steel structure, new redwood lath, interior lighting, improved irrigation, enhanced garden space, new and improved pathways for accessibility, and new concrete arcades. Renovations costed about $26,453,000
How far in advance should you notify us of a planned absence? Who do you contact?
24 hours in advance, if possible and contact Andrea, Jordan, and/or Brenda
What can you do to avoid heat exhaustion? What do you do if someone is having a heatstroke?
Dress for the weather, hydrate and stay out of the sun. In case of heatstroke, call 911 immediately.
What is FBP? How can people stay up to date on the Botanical Building or get involved with us?
FBP is a non-profit that partners with the City of San Diego Parks and Rec department. Visitors can sign up for our newsletter to keep up with all things Balboa Park. They can check out the project website at balboaparkbotanical.org
Where are the Staghorn Ferns, Orchids, and Carnivorous plants? Didn't you have a corpse plant??
Staghorn Ferns are being housed in the City Nursery and will eventually be added back, there are a number of orchids in the building and more will be added over time as seasonal displays (check out SDFA!). No carnivorous plants, but they may come back as a seasonal display, and the corpse plant is in Encinitas, CA, at the SD Botanic Gardens.
What is Phase II and how can people get involved?
FBP is leading Phase II which includes restoring the historic pergola and planting exterior gardens this year. People can get involved by donating and/or volunteering. Please call 619.331.1991 or email info@balboaparkbotanical.org. Garden Stewards program will care for exterior gardens