Those Thorny Acacias!
Posted at 4:40 pm March 3, 2006 by Deb Erickson-Morris
Employees at the Wild Animal Park and the San Diego Zoo are given the opportunity to experience other jobs thru the Job Loan Program. Employees bid on posted positions that are needed only temporarily. I have been working “on loan” in the Park’s Horticulture Department as a gardener for three weeks now. The loan will run for five months, then I will go back to my regular job in the Park’s Merchandising Department.
My first few days were spent getting to know my assigned area. Each gardener has his or her own area that they are responsible for. This includes the planting, pruning, weeding, irrigation, watering, and, in some cases, the design and layout of the plants as well. My area is in Nairobi Village from the Petting Kraal thru Lorikeet Landing, Hidden Jungle, and up to the Fishing Village bridge. Compared to others, mine is one of the smaller locations to tend.
In the second week, I assisted the arborists and other gardeners in removing acacia tree branches overhanging the pathways. These are beastly trees! Although beautiful to look at, the trees grow very large, sharp thorns approximately 3 inches (8 centimeters) or more in length. They also have a toxin, so when you get jabbed by them it’s painful and makes you swell like a puffed marshmallow. I know, because I have been so lucky! But, it’s all part of the job and you just learn to be very, very careful with them. I was also able to attend a Plant Show in Del Mar and visit various local nurseries to see what plant stock is available. Because I purchase plants for the Plant Trader shop at the Park, it was a valuable excursion for me.
Today was a pretty normal day of trimming and weeding and I find that today, as most days, I was smiling as I looked around at where I work, who I work with, and what I am able to do.
Deb Erickson-Morris works in the Plant Trader gift shop at the Wild Animal Park when she’s not “on loan!”
Read another blogger’s loan experience with the San Diego Zoo’s Horticulture Deparment.
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March 4th, 2006 at 1:27 am
You are very lucky to get the chance to switch jobs for a while. It can make going to work less of a chore. I would be smiling a lot too if I could work in the pleasant temperatures you have; we have had temperatures as low as 19f in the U.K. recently!