By Bernheim
Volunteers are at the heart of Bernheim. Over the past year, they’ve supported programs, cared for the landscape, welcomed visitors, and helped bring new ideas to life. This look back highlights just some of what they made possible in 2025 to 2026.
Art Volunteers
Art volunteers helped bring to life works by 2025 Artists in Residence Emanuel Zarate and Max Sorenson.
2025 Artist in Residence Nellie Lutzwolf also joined Volunteer Naturalists on guided night hikes, drawing inspiration for her mural, Bernheim Residents.
My Blue Ghost Firefly excursion with Bill (Napper) is a core memory now.
— Nellie Lutzwolf
Art volunteers were also instrumental in creating the Cyanotunnel, a new feature at last year’s CONNECT! Made of cyano-printed fabric panels, the piece celebrated the 45th anniversary of Bernheim’s Artist in Residence program.
Children at Play Network
Bernheim’s Playcosystem continued to grow in 2025 with the addition of a wheelchair-accessible Treehouse and the opening of Zone 3. Bernheim also hosted the annual International Play Association Conference in October.
Eleven volunteers took part in a Free Play Facilitator training led by Playcosystem Coordinator Zach Bramel. This year, those volunteers and others are invited to support the Trading Post, a “play library” in Zone 2. We look forward to expanding volunteer opportunities in this area.
Guest Services Volunteers
Last year, we reimagined the Information Desk role as Welcoming and Wayfinding. Volunteers in this role greet visitors, offer directions, and help guests plan their visit.
Throughout the Visitor Center, volunteers also supported Gift Shop inventory and assisted in Isaac’s Cafe. Assistant Baker volunteers played a key role in the cafe, making 2,904 bear hugs and eagle claws over the past year.
Bernheim has many important volunteer roles, but I’m convinced Welcome and Wayfinding is one of the most essential. After all, we never get a second chance to make a first impression. And it’s one of the most rewarding roles, since you can experience the joy of discovering Bernheim for the first time all over again.
— Mark Ray, Volunteer
Education & Interpretation
More than 90% of Bernheim’s educational programming is made possible by Volunteer Naturalists. Over the past year, they led more than 30 night programs and over 40 guided hikes, nature strolls, and educational experiences.
The Education and Interpretation team also leads popular events like BloomFest and BugFest. Last year’s BugFest drew a record crowd of more than 3,000 attendees. Many thanks to the volunteers who made it possible, especially the BugFest Planning Committee: Ed Briand, Pam Johns, Kat Panther, Nuala Rohrer, and Doug Wilson.
The strength of the Volunteer Naturalist program comes from its community. In January 2026, we welcomed 27 new Naturalists in Training. Longtime Naturalists have taken on a larger role in leading trainings and helping develop new programs. The program continues to grow and evolve each year.
Horticulture
Horticulture volunteers support staff in the Edible Garden, Nursery, and across the Arboretum. Their work includes weeding, mulching, preparing for plant sales, cutting back invasive plants, and more.
Last spring, volunteer groups from KEEN Footwear helped rebuild the raised garden beds outside the Visitor Center. The project was led by volunteers Chuck and Dan Reynolds, who have also rebuilt many beds in the Edible Garden. These updates made the spaces more functional and more inviting.
Natural Areas
Trail Ranger volunteers continued to serve as the eyes and ears of the landscape, while Beaver Brigade volunteers took on projects that support coexistence between beavers and Arboretum collections.
Their work included installing five Beaver Dam Analogs to guide beaver activity away from key areas, planting thousands of black willow live stakes as a food source, and placing protective cages around trees.
This year also marked the start of the Beaver Scout program. These volunteers are trained to identify signs of beaver activity and report back to the Natural Areas team.
Volunteer Ambassadors
The Volunteer Ambassador Program launched in January 2025 with 13 participants. Through trainings with all nine Bernheim departments, Ambassadors gained a broad understanding of the organization and how to represent it in the community.
In its first year, Ambassadors participated in 22 events. This year, five new volunteers joined the program, and we look forward to expanding outreach efforts in 2026.
Volunteer of the Year
Jonathan Shirley
Jonathan is a familiar and welcoming presence across Bernheim. He brings curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to step in wherever help is needed. While he often volunteers as a Naturalist, his impact reaches far beyond a single role.
Arts Program Coordinator Teresa Koester shared, “When I see Jonathan walking up, I feel confident things are going to get done and we’ll have a lot of fun doing it.”
Interpretive Programs Manager Wren Smith added, “He is a rare jewel of a volunteer and a rare jewel of a human being.”
Jonathan embodies Bernheim’s values of curiosity and wonder, and we are proud to recognize him as this year’s Volunteer of the Year.
