Our Foundation
Mission Statement: Gardens and programs that inspire, educate, and enrich our lives and our community.

Purpose Statement: To educate and encourage citizens on the importance of developing, restoring, maintaining and conserving wildlife habitat and the native plants that comprise that habitat.


Welcome our new members! Many thanks to those who have renewed your memberships and given donations.

We are so grateful that many of you have increased your membership renewal levels–it is very much appreciated! Memberships help support our organization and our gardens!

April-No Class
No class in April due to the Bare Root Trees, Shrubs & Perennial Sale. We have a great May class scheduled–stay tuned!
Bare Root Trees, Shrubs & Perennial Sale
The sale will be held on Saturday April 24th (members only) and Sunday 25th (general public).  A limited, controlled number of people will be allowed to shop in hour increments during the sale time frame. We will be using SignUpGenius to schedule days/time slots. Once the time slots are filled, no more shoppers can be allowed.

Upon sign up you will be required to agree to the Authorized Shopper Instructions document. 

Here is a brief listing/description of some of the various jobs we need to fill. As you can infer some jobs are more physical than others. There will be a few additional jobs not listed here.
 

Greeter: Distribute plant lists, guide customers to sales areas and/or check receipts for paid items.

Field Helper: Pull trees to be bagged.  Bring gloves.

Bagger: Dip bare root trees in water, place into bags, and secure. Best to wear clothes that are waterproof or able to get dirty, and bring gloves.

Checker: Write up sales slips, guide customers to the cashier, ensure customer flow.  Must have legible handwriting, and enjoy interacting with the public. 

Cashier: Complete purchase of plants or trees with customers; exchange any money  (no coin change transactions). 

Saturday Morning Work Parties
March started the return to our Saturday morning work parties (SMWP). For those unfamiliar with our parties, on each  Saturday morning, with safety in mind (masks and social distancing required), we will pair volunteers with one of our garden coordinators who will supervise and guide various tasks around the gardens.
We are doing things a bit differently this year. In order to comply with restrictions guiding the number of people gathering together we have created a sign up system using SignUpGenius. Each month additional sign up dates will be added. 
Save the Date- Art in the Garden
We are also hopeful that we will be able to have our annual one day event,  Art in the Garden, this year on Sunday July 11th. More to come….
Bulletin Board
Rosemarie put up a new bulletin board on the front of our smaller shed to inform folks about our plant sale–thank you!
Come visit and check it out in person (masks and social distancing rules) but see attached for a peek.
Did you see this?
Recently an article was done about NatureScaping and our Wildlife Botanical Gardens in ClarkCountyTalk. This is a community social network delivering positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Clark County Washington. Here is the link to the story:
Check it out!!
Talks. …..
 
Our days of giving tours/talks in the gardens have been curtailed by COVID-19 but recently our very own Mason Bee
Herder, Brigg Franklin, taught some children who meet at the Wildlife Botanical Gardens on two different days a little about the bees.  I was told by one of the moms in charge that “Nature Kids are two homeschool groups that meet at Botanical Gardens/ Casee. We are a “group” on Facebook that follows the same nature study curriculum. It has been several years since we have been meeting. Families come and go, I would estimate 30 families have been part of the group at one time or another. Currently there are enough of us that we could not all match schedules, so that is why one meets on Wednesday 2-4 and one Fridays 1-3. Over the years days and times have changed to match schedules. Our curriculum covers everything throughout the year”
 
Speaking of Mason Bees
 
Although we will be selling Mason Bees and bee supplies at the plant sale, if you don’t want to wait, Brigg has agreed to arrange for sales from his home upon appointment. With the weather getting warmer the fruit blossoms may come on fast. Be sure you have your bees ready to pollinate your yard.
Contact Brigg at:  capt.brigg@gmail.com
Members Missives
 
News/communications relating to members……if you have items to share please let me know.

Master Composter Recycler Superstar

This award is given to a Master Composter Recycler (MCR) volunteer that goes above the call to action, serving communities throughout Clark County by teaching about composting and recycling. This years’ award went to one of our members who also puts in many hours of volunteer time with NatureScaping.

Ron Ferguson contributed more than 200 volunteer hours to the Master Composter Recycler Program in one year. He led construction and maintenance projects at compost demonstration sites. See a short video about Ron’s volunteering for MCR.  Ron Ferguson MCR Superstar

Sharing…. 

 So many folks are enjoying the gardens and have left comments and pictures. Thanks to our members who help us fulfil our mission statement with their support and of course to our amazing coordinators/volunteers!
Some comments from various visitors….
From Business Google
From Morgan:
Free to come and enjoy the ambience! 9 gardens that are very easy to walk to and very beautifully designed! Best time of the year to come is late spring around may and fall! Very tranquil and not much walking needed very family friendly!
From Joseph:
This is such a wonderful place to go for walks! There are always so many birds and critters around. Even in the winter!
 
From Ashley:
Very cute with lots of trail options. I want to come back in Spring and Summer to see things in full bloom
Barb S. from FB:
Thank you for staying open. It’s a wonderful place to bring your to-go lunch and eat in the fresh air surrounded by beauty.
 
From a Comment card:
First time visitor on 2/27. ‘Fantastic wonderful volunteers’
 
 
Nature Related Quote of the Month
 
From Jessica Harrelson: “Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.”
 
 
Stay safe, enjoy and hope to see you’all in person soon!