Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Golden

By Greta Engel

Phipps is well-known for our beautiful gardens, seasonal flower shows, pioneering sustainability initiatives, informative educational programs and community outreach. None of our work, however, would be possible without the knowledge and dedication of our volunteers. In this series of profiles, we meet some of the people who give their time to make Phipps possible.

After starting the Master Gardener program in 2017, Linda Golden also began her volunteer journey with Phipps. She grew up visiting the Conservatory, “from family visits, school trips and even dates.” Volunteering at Phipps enables Linda to make connections with guests and offer them her vast knowledge of plants and gardening. She values the opportunity to promote the preservation and appreciation of nature through her volunteer work.

On a typical day of volunteering, Linda tends to take care of plants in the Broderie Room by deadheading and maintaining the room’s window boxes. She loves talking with guests during her volunteer hours and helping with the Adult Education programs at the Garden Center. Linda finds it incredibly rewarding to contribute to Phipps’ mission while being surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Linda has always been interested in plants and the different environments that they grow in. Her favorite part of volunteering is, “working closely with such a wide variety of plants and meeting visitors from several states to learn about their sustainable gardening practices.”  She also enjoys working with the talented Phipps’ staff whom she describes as “friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.”

Linda has been volunteering at Phipps for 7 years, ever since she retired from her job as a hospice nurse and team manager in 2017.  She now spends her time as a paralegal, volunteer, docent and instructional aid. Linda and her husband have recently started to preserve the fruits and vegetables that they grow together in the garden at their cabin. Linda looks forward to sharing her passion with you the next time you visit!