Cultivating Curiosity as He Brings Balboa Park’s Gardens to Life

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Jim Davis. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Jim Davis, a volunteer with Forever Balboa Park, is a walking encyclopedia of plant life and a welcoming presence for thousands of people. Born on a farm in Arkansas and later earning his graduate degree in St. Louis, Jim Davis has spent a lifetime rooted in service. From assisting the Red Cross during the Missouri River flooding in 1993 to volunteering through his church, tutoring students in reading and currently serving at a food pantry, Jim’s commitment to community runs deep. But since 2022, his devotion has been primarily to Balboa Park.

Jim has dedicated his time to multiple volunteer programs at the park, serving as a rose garden steward, garden steward and park ambassador. His commitment is most visible inside the iconic Botanical Building, where he enthusiastically greets and educates guests from around the world. With every shift, Jim interacts with countless visitors, offering insightful tours of the lush displays. His deep knowledge of plant life isn’t accidental; it’s the result of his own study and memorization. Jim has made it a personal mission to learn the most fascinating facts about the garden’s rarest and most iconic species, especially their unique adaptations. His tours not only entertain but also deepen public appreciation for the biodiversity nestled in the heart of San Diego.

As an added benefit, Jim plays an active role in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. Through his casual conversations and informative tours, he connects guests to the natural world and encourages them to think critically about conservation. His approachable demeanor and genuine passion make learning feel like a friendly chat rather than a formal lecture, creating a memorable experience for park visitors of all ages. Whether tending roses or greeting newcomers to Balboa Park, Jim brings a contagious enthusiasm and heartfelt dedication to every task. His ability to transform a stroll through the garden into a rich, educational journey makes him an invaluable part of the Forever Balboa Park team.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I started out volunteering in the rose garden. We had roses at home and I didn’t really know much about how to care for roses. My daughter suggested I volunteer at Balboa Park and that’s what I did. One day a week I started volunteering, learned a lot about roses, met a lot of great people and made really good friends. I also got to take some really great photos.

Then, the Botanical Building, which was originally built in 1915, reached a state of deterioration. About three years ago, there was an effort made to begin refurbishing and rebuilding it. So for two years, it was under construction. It reopened on December 6, 2024, and there was a request for volunteers to come over and help with the reopening. I agreed, and then I got really fascinated in this building, which houses tropical plants from all over the world.

I’m naturally pretty inquisitive, and I started trying to find all I could about these plants online. Some of them are very rare. Some of them are unusual. I found that I really enjoyed approaching people, sometimes multiple thousands of people who come through the park, and showing them the plants in the building. Some of the plants don’t look particularly notable, but I enjoy telling people the stories behind them.

Why is access to nature, specifically flora, so important?

There’s something about us humans – I guess it’s an instinct – that makes us very much interested in our environment. We’re simply interested in the plants and animals in the environment we live in. We recognize – perhaps not even in words or in conscious thought – that we ourselves have a lot in common with the natural world around us.

We can see and feel and know that we are, ourselves, natural beings.

What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?

Of course, I learned more about how to take care of roses! I learned a lot more about tropical plants from around the world. But I also learned that I could do more than I first thought I could.

By striking up these conversations and talking to people in the Botanical Building, I’ve also learned that about 80% of the people are not from San Diego at all. They’re from everywhere, literally everywhere. Europe and Canada and Australia, India and Philippines and Japan. And I learned that most people are actually very friendly and nice and good to be around. I don’t see people who come to Balboa Park as strangers anymore.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The memories. Every day when I go to Balboa Park, I come back with things I remember. I mostly interact with people for a very brief period of time – anywhere from saying a couple of sentences to each other to walking around for about half an hour. And after that, we’ll never see each other again. But I can still vividly remember many of the people I’ve met. And those memories are very, very good for me.

Volunteering is good for my health, too. It involves exercise, more than I’d get at home. I have to stoop over, sometimes carry buckets, walk a lot. And when we’re doing something we enjoy, meeting and interacting with nature and with people, it makes us feel better about ourselves. I really think doctors would say it’s very good for our health.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

The instinct to help is why I do volunteer work. Humans tend to have an instinct to help each other. Doing something for the benefit of someone else – especially for the benefit of someone you don’t even know, someone who may not be kin, who may not be in your same group or community – spending your time and effort helping them is really good for you. And we need to do that, not just be ready and willing, but actually do it. Volunteering makes me a better person. I find that it’s really rewarding. I don’t get any material benefit from it, but there’s a very real reward. It’s good for my soul.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

I don’t like to tell anyone what to do, but it’s been my experience that if you volunteer, it turns out to be more than you expected it to be. Find something to volunteer with that you enjoy. That’s important. Maybe you want to do something where you talk to people, or perhaps you’d rather do something behind the scenes. Think it through and try it out.

The important thing is finding what fits your skills and personality, as well as your interests. That’s the thing about volunteer work: unlike a job, there’s a lot of choice. You can choose what to do based on your passion. And remember, above all, that volunteering should be done with the purpose of benefiting others.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Jim? Find local volunteer opportunities.