Joy Silverstein wears many hats at the Arnold Arboretum—member, volunteer, and visitor. A lifelong Jamaica Plain resident, she holds fond childhood memories of walking with her father along the Arboretum’s wooded paths. Today she continues to visit frequently, often accompanied by friends and family but also enjoying peaceful walks in solitude. You might even encounter Joy in the landscape in the spring and fall in a more official capacity, using her time here for the benefit of the next generation of explorers.
Wanting to find an uplifting and rewarding way to spend her time and give back to the community when she retired, her thoughts returned to the Arboretum. “I read about the Arboretum’s Field Study Guides program in the Jamaica Plain Gazette,” Joy recalls, “and knew it would be the perfect fit.” She immediately reached out to enroll in the training program, recalling the magic that the Arboretum conjured in her own childhood and eager to foster similar experiences for kids today from Boston Public School.
This year, the Arboretum’s Field Study Experiences (FSE) programs celebrate 40 years of teaching Boston Public elementary school children about nature with hands-on science activities in the fresh air and enchantment of our landscape. Many of the participating students live in densely populated parts of the city, where green space may be sparse or unfamiliar territory. Among the acres of mature trees, shrubs, and vines of the Arboretum, city children can immerse themselves in learning and allow their relationship with the outdoors to blossom, just like it did for Joy.
On these field trips, Joy and other volunteer FSE guides teach kids about plants and ecology as well as the history of the landscape through programs like “Indigenous Plants, Indigenous People.” Joy believes that teaching kids about the many cultural and medicinal qualities of plants can help them understand interconnections between nature and humanity, and the importance of protecting our environment.
While all field trips have their charms, Joy especially loves working with fifth-grade explorers. “It’s a great age because they can really grasp the ecological concepts and yet they still have a childlike wonder,” Joy explains. As we meander along Meadow Road, Joy lights up with fun facts about every collection we pass, and her excitement for plants is contagious. “I’ve always been more drawn to plants than animals,” Joy shares, “so I’ve loved learning so much about the Arboretum’s trees as a volunteer here, and then passing that knowledge on to the next generation.”
The Arboretum’s abundant insect life sparks curiosity with students, so she carries a small clear container for catching bugs. Her collections allow kids to get a safe and close-up look at the beetles, bees, and spiders they frequently see but rarely have the chance to scrutinize. “They can see all the tiny hairs, translucent wings, antennae—and the live visual helps me explain the symbiotic relationships between plants and insects.”
Since the Arboretum continuously changes with each season and year, it remains a constant source of fascination and discovery in Joy’s life. She’s loved growing her relationship with the Arboretum, from those initial visits as a youth to finding deeper connection and meaning as a member and volunteer. “The guides are a close-knit group. As I’ve gotten more involved, I’ve discovered that the greatness of the Arboretum isn’t only the plants, but also the people.”
With so many happy memories here, it’s important to Joy to give back as much as she can. The very real expenses of keeping the Arboretum safe and beautiful for all— and providing free educational programs for schoolchildren of all ages—are considerable, but these are investments that Joy feels passionate about. “I come here all the time, I love being a Field Study Experiences guide, and I love this place, so being a member is an easy decision.” If you too would like to get more involved, consider becoming a member today, and check out our volunteer opportunities.