Botanical Garden reopens, seeks volunteer help |
CLEMSON — Most of the South Carolina Botanical Garden has reopened and is seeking volunteers to help clean up the garden after weekend flooding caused heavy damage.
“The only area remaining closed indefinitely is the Natural Heritage Garden, which is the heart and soul of the garden,” said Patrick McMillan, director of the Botanical Garden. The Natural Heritage Garden shelters more than 1,000 varieties of native plants in their natural habitats and is considered to be one of the centerpieces of the garden. It likely will remain closed through next spring. “It’s our newest exhibit that we had opened, and it’s the one that has been the focus of all of our work pretty much in the garden for the last two years,” McMillan said. “We just opened it this past spring.” Volunteers are being sought to help clean up the garden from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays until Friday, July 26. Volunteers will meet each morning at 9 a.m. at the Hayden Conference Center and will be assigned to work crews. Check the Botanical Garden Facebook page for updates, including whether work will be done this Saturday. Volunteers must be prepared to work in high heat and humidity and be aware that mosquitoes are a problem in the areas that need work. Bring gloves, water, sunscreen, sturdy footwear, insect repellent and shovels (labeled with your name). If you want to help clear streambeds, bring rubber boots. The Hayden Conference Center will remain open with restrooms, cold water and air-conditioned breaks. Check out here how to donate or volunteer your time 
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