To our members & friends….

Norfolk Botanical Garden is being affected by this health crisis just like the entire world is, including our staff. We have multiple staff out due to self quarantine or because they need to be home taking care of loved ones. In an effort to remain open, but to not jeopardize the safety of our remaining staff, we have implemented the following measures: 

 
1. All buildings including restrooms are now closed- staff simply could not stay safe cleaning these every 30 minutes with the little protective gear and staff we have left. If you are following this crisis you understand that protective gear is essential and in short supply world-wide. 
 
2. Operating hours are shortened to Wednesday through Sunday, further reducing staff exposure to visitors and allowing horticulture teams and facility teams to work outside more freely on Monday & Tuesday given social distancing guidelines with visitors. 
 
3. We have asked all nonessential staff and all of our outstanding volunteers to stay home for now- again limiting everyone’s contact and exposure. 
 
Many have asked about biking in the Garden and our extended hours due to start April 1. These are both on hold due to the increased volume of visitation we are experiencing with so many at home. We realize none of this is ideal but certainly this is not an ideal time we are in. 
 
If these measures don’t work in reducing staff exposure or if our visitors can’t maintain safe distances while visiting, we will then be forced to close which none of us want. Our mission is to connect people to nature through the world of plants so that we may save the planet we are all struggling to live on right now. Please help us in that mission. Please help us stay safe and please help us stay open.
 
Gratefully,

Michael P. Desplaines
President & CEO