SPECIAL EXHIBITS SCHEDULE
The Golden Gate Express
will continue to roll until
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VISIT US
Hours:
* Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm (last entry is at 4:30pm)
* The Conservatory is closed Mondays
* The Conservatory is closed on all Holidays except Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. In 2009, we will be open on New Year's Day.
* Please note that on Sundays and all major holidays, Golden Gate Park closes many of its roads to all vehicle traffic
Information line:
415-666-7001
Admission:
* $5.00 for Adults
* $3.00 for Youth 12-17, Seniors 65 & over, and Students with ID
* $1.50 for Children 5 - 11
* FREE for Children 4 and under and all Jungle Pass holders
* The Conservatory is free to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month.
Maps and more information
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| HELP SUPPORT THE CONSERVATORY
We invite you to support the Conservatory to help us expand our environmental education programs and our horticultural collections. Your tax deductible donation is greatly appreciated.
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PLANNING A SPECIAL EVENT?
Photo: Billy Winters
The Conservatory of Flowers is the perfect place for your upcoming wedding, reunion, birthday celebration or other special event.
Visit our rental page for more information.
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Dear ,
My how the past year and a half has flown by! I really can not believe that on Christmas Day this year I will celebrate my 18-month anniversary here as the Conservatory of Flowers Director. That of course along with being responsible for the San Francisco Botanical Garden and the Golden Gate Park Nursery and Greenhouses has made for one busy work life. Maybe that is a big part in why the time has seemed to fly by so quickly. Moving to a wonderful and convenient neighborhood street in the Sunset has allowed me to be much more accessible and available for Conservatory events and programs throughout the week and weekend. But with great pride, I reflect back over my time here and am very pleased with the significant progress that has been made at the Conservatory.
We have managed to plan, design and present an outstanding series of horticultural exhibitions and displays that have attracted healthy attendance and also created an enticing reason for your household to become part of our extended family of Jungle Pass supporters. I am so appreciative of the steadfast involvement of so many of our dedicated and passionate volunteers, members and supporters. You have contributed on all levels to the growth and development of so many critical areas of the Conservatory's operations, programs and special events. I personally enjoy adding special notes of appreciation to the letters we send out to Jungle Pass supporters, donors to our annual appeals, sponsors of our exhibitions, and foundations that grant essential funding to provide for expanded programs and improved collections.
My heart warms this time of the year as I witness the smiles and laughter of our guests who enjoy the Golden Gate Express garden railway. I also am encouraged by the genuine positive comments of our visitors whose lives are brightened by the array of holiday blooms and botanical displays. During this season of special sharing, I want to thank you for your marvelous gifts of support, interest and involvement. You certainly keep me going. May 2009 be an even bigger and better year for you and the Conservatory of Flowers!
Holiday Cheers!
Brent Dennis
Director
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MEET THE CONDUCTOR, ED LEVINSON
With electrical currents running through its tracks and live plants in its surroundings, the Golden Gate Express Garden Railway exhibition is realism at its best. Ed Levinson, the leading conductor of the Golden Gate Express organized the various elements of the railway's appearance. "LGB Train Company, a German manufacturer, makes engines that are logically assembled and have the best track record for trains," said Levinson.
In the development of the railway it was Levinson's idea to choose  the German manufacturers train engines. The engines features include a sealed motor; they are water proof and have ultra-violet lights. According to Levinson, the San Francisco Trolley is from Philadelphia, there are three engines, eleven cars, and two trolleys.
A life long interest in trains started as a child for Levinson. He recalls growing up in New York City and experiencing his first set of train tracks at the Lionel Show Room. The exhibitions were from the Gilbert Flyer Competing train manufacturer with free catalogs in abundance. Discovering the beauty of trains in the early 50's lead Levinson's future interests and the creation of what is now known as the Golden Gate Express Garden Railway.
Here at the Conservatory of Flowers, our staff and visitors alike greatly appreciate Ed Levinson's volunteered services. We are grateful for his talent and immense responsibilities in maintaining the Railway. Along with the Railway, Ed works as a consultant for Orinda Model Railway, where trains are purchased and sold. You can contact Ed by phone (925)376-8425 or email orindamodelrr@aol.com.
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SEASONAL COLOR AT THE CONSERVATORY
Poinsettias of various sizes and colors add a bright punch of color to both the Potted Plants and Special Exhibits Galleries.
The poinsettia was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel  Robert Poinsett, first U. S. ambassador to Mexico who gathered plants in the wilds of southern Mexico. The common name for this cherished symbol of the holiday season came from his last name. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima.
Caring for your poinsettia at home is relatively easy. Poinsettias should be watered when the surface is dry to the touch. Water the soil until it runs freely out the drainage hole in the container. If a saucer is used, discard the water that collects in it. Do not leave the plant standing in water as overly wet soil lacks sufficient air, which results in root injury. Plants exposed to high light and low humidity require more frequent watering.
Or just visit the beautiful poinsettias at the Conservatory of Flowers and leave the care taking to our staff of professional Nursery Specialists!
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NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM
The training program begins Monday, January 26, 2009 and will be held every Monday afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 pm through March 23, 2009. An additional 1-3 weeks of training takes place at the conclusion of the nine-week program depending on the volunteer position. The fee is $50 per person.
Volunteers enrolled in the new training program receive an incredible introduction to tropical plants and their conservation from the Conservatory's expert horticultural staff and a host of guest speakers. The program covers the basics of botany, climate, geography and soil in tropical habitats, botanical evolution, pollinators, adaptations, conservation worldwide, ethnobotany and the economics of tropical plants. In addition, volunteers learn about the history of the Conservatory, Golden Gate Park and Victorian greenhouses in general. All volunteers are trained to engage visitors in fun, interactive ways with the collection. And an ongoing continuing education program ensures that Conservatory volunteers are always learning something new about tropical plants and global conservation efforts.
"We're excited to launch this new training for interested volunteers," says Dolores Gebhardt, the Conservatory's new Education Specialist. "We're really retooling our education program to be relevant to today's world with a continued, but deepened emphasis on conservation and ecology. Our volunteers are essential in helping us to not only get people excited about plants but also to help them understand why the survival of the tropics is in everyone's interest."
Volunteers who sign up for the training are required to commit to one year of service from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Jungle Guides and docents must be able to lead 2 tours per month. The Conservatory also is looking for volunteer greeters who do not have to attend the training. Interested volunteers should contact Lee Edwards, Volunteer Manager, before January 20th at (415) 722-6650 or ledwards@sfcof.org.
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HAVE YOU VISITED OUR NEW GIFT SHOP?
Our gift shop has moved indoors with a greatly expanded selection of branded merchandise and holiday gifts. You'll find something for everyone from canvas tote backs, colorful tee shirts and delightful books for the train lover of every age.
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