Our Bedrock
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 new members–we hope to see you at our monthly classes and upcoming events.
And to those who have renewed–thank you so much! Memberships help support our organization and our gardens!
Note: We can now accept memberships and renewals online with this link: Membership/Renewals.
However, to help us cover our processing costs for the convenience of using online payments, it is necessary to include those costs in our online membership fees. Amounts remain the same as before for checks/cash.
Separate donations can also be transacted online!
August Class
Saturday August 19th at 10:00am ~ entitled Easier Gardening for Everyone ~ conducted by Cheryl Coddington and Dale Wheeler.
How can we continue to work in our gardens as we age and/or experience physical constraints? Two Cowlitz County Master Gardeners, one of whom is also an Occupational Therapist, will have tips and techniques to allow you to maneuver in the garden, as well as to keep you doing what you love to do, no matter your limitations.
We will be going out into the gardens for demonstration purposes after the classroom presentation portion. Please dress accordingly.
July Class-Recap
We learned a lot about the history of lawns in our country and in others and why folks seem to love them so much. We also learned why too much lawn is not the best for our environment, insects, critters and others with whom we share the planet. We discussed some alternatives and attendees shared their experiences.
Saturday Morning Work Parties
Saturday morning work parties are ongoing and last through October. For those who would like to volunteer at the gardens, each Saturday morning (from 9:00am to noon) volunteers are guided by one of our garden coordinators to work in the gardens. Non-Saturday dates will also be available as determined. We have a sign-up system using SignUpGenius. Additional sign up dates may be added. To sign up to work on listed days, here is the link: SignUpGenius
Note: Just wanted to give a shout out to the youths from the RCS (Restorative Community Services) program who helped out July 29th at the gardens. Kelli, who supervised said: “Eight amazing volunteers today including RCS Youth, the supervising leader said she didn’t hear them complain one time and I overheard them saying to one another “the guy that didn’t show up missed out!” I encouraged them to come back anytime to volunteer and I hope they do. They worked on cutting down the Nootka Roses between the Native and Water Wise Gardens.”
Family Fun Day in the Gardens
Introducing a new event for families (and everyone) in partnership with Master Gardener Children’s programming on Saturday, August 5th, between 10 am – 12 noon.
Families may come and go as fits the needs of their children and time available for this event. When families arrive at the garden, they will be given a map, noting the different activities being held in the various gardens–each “station” will have someone directing the activity.
Activities include: *Butterfly Masks * Am I a Butterfly? * Build a Nest * Drawing Flowers * Good Bugs/Bad Bugs * Pollinators * Parts of Plants We Eat * Bird Beaks * Clouds and Water Cycle * Leaf Rubbing or Tree ID.
The final activity will be the compost snack consisting of oreo cookie crumbs (dirt), “green” coconut (grass), mini marshmallows (whites or paper), chocolate chips (browns or leaves), and some raisins. Plus each child will get a gummy worm or two to round out their “compost.”
Sounds like fun?! Hope to see many of you there and spread the word!
Art in the Garden-Recap
A great day was had by all (or so I heard from many). Thanks to all that made it happen!
Some of the greats: ART, spinning demonstration, compost demonstrations, mini-plant sale, weather, music,
volunteers and attendance! We had the greatest people (also number of) visit our event–approximately 835ish!
We also had a great reaction from the two winners of our raffle–thanks to all of the artists who contributed. I’d like to share the story (with her permission) of one winner. The day I called Kathy to tell her she was chosen, it was the 2nd year 
anniversary of one of her sister’s passing. Understandably downhearted, when she learned she had won, her whole demeanor changed! She was so very grateful (her sister loved art) and she believes it was meant to be with a little “help” from her sister. See attached pic of the two winners. Kathy is on the right and Tina, our other winner was also very excited and she is an artist herself.
Save the Date
Perennial, Bulb & Seed Swap
While working in your yards…..look ahead to sharing some plants, bulbs and seeds at the Wildlife Botanical Gardens Perennial, Bulb and Seed Swap (exact date to be determined) this fall. Take your potted or bagged up excess perennials, bulbs and seeds and trade them in for new specimens at our annual swap–you may be surprised by what you might find. More to come…….
Tours/Talks/Events
The gardens are used in many different ways by many different folks! Here are a few….
The WaterWise Garden was chosen to be included in the Backyard Habitat Builders Tour 2023 – Clark County. Meredith (the garden coordinator) said there were about 12 visitors asking about native plants and landscaping with natives. “They all toured the gardens and commented on the beauty, peace and expressed appreciation for all our efforts.”
The Master Gardeners Program volunteer celebration was held at the gardens again this year. Looks like a good time!
A small wedding was conducted at the gardens and according to the groom, “Everything went great! The gardens were very lovely”. They also made a nice donation and the groom indicated interest in volunteering. Pictures were not available in time for this newsletter but I’m told they are to come…
Julie (our resident tour guide) guided a small group of residents from Mallard Landing Assisted Living facility. Julie said the tour went great and “We had lunch in the Bird Haven garden, nice and cool place for a picnic”.
Speaking about Julie…..don’t miss the walk(s) she is leading at Battle Ground Lake State Park:
Native Plant ID Walk 11:00am
Saturday, August 12th
Saturday August 26th
18002 N.E. 249th Street
Battle Ground, WA 98604
This 1-mile hike around the lake will reveal a variety of plant species that contribute to the park’s healthy ecosystem. Julie says: “I point out native plants, birds and other interesting things that come along”.
Limit: 20 people; sign up in advance at Contact Station or call (360) 687-4621.
Location: First covered picnic shelter off day-use parking lot. Follow signs.
Presenters: Julie Carlsen, Master Gardener and NatureScaping Volunteer.
Bulletin Board
We have a new beautiful display for Summer–come see it on our bulletin board on the shed in the center of the gardens. Thank you Rosemarie!
Did you Notice….
The Water Wise Garden was graced with a few new additions. There is a beautiful new bench made by one of our members and volunteer extraordinaire. A new garden sign painted by the same artist who created the mural of the Hummingbirds on the side of our shed (Travis London) is now displayed.
Progress Update from the Flying Flowers Garden Extension–we have a gazebo!! Thanks go to Kurt “who did an amazing job designing, constructing and installing [with the aid of a few helpers]” the new structure. You may have also noticed the furniture change; the donation of the picnic table from the Hummingbird Garden. One comment from visitors standing under the gazebo was: “This is awesome!” See for yourself:
Sharing……
Always striving to best share information, our standard flyers in display boxes at the gardens are now on our website. Find them referenced on the following pages:
https://naturescaping.org/the-gardens/
https://naturescaping.org/the-gardens/flying-flowers-garden/
https://naturescaping.org/the-gardens/hummingbird-place/
For anyone interested….
Booklet
With funding from a Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS) grant and with many volunteer hours from committee members (you know who you are) a longtime dream has been fulfilled.
We have created a free 52-page booklet as an educational tool that includes dozens of high-quality photos, descriptions and other information regarding native plants found at The Wildlife Botanical Gardens and reasons to incorporate them in your landscape. Here is the link to finding it on our website:
https://naturescaping.org/resources/free-booklet/
Recent Comments from Business Google
Many visitors who took the time to give us a review (some with comments) and/or share pictures:
Teeta–5 stars, photos & comments: “What a beautiful little oasis Grateful for our community”
Lan–5 stars, photos & comments: “My favorite garden. Ever. I stumbled onto this last year and have come back a few more times. Different beauties during spring, summer, fall. Just came back today, I love that it has so many different flowers, colors, trees, play together so well as its name NatureScaping. Thanks to the amazing volunteers and workers!! The cow farm across the road adds to its country charm. The feeling of being out in the country, not a park in a busy suburb. Very few people here, free admission, free big parking lot, I almost want to not write a review, keep it as my own private get away.”
Marcy–5 stars & comments: “I went to a special art in the park event. Beautifully maintained gardens”
Richard–5 stars & comments: “Absolutely wonderful event. Artist and event staff so very Happy and helpful. A must do event for a fun weekend”
Harvest of Peace–5 star review
A donation was left with this comment (and symbols): “This place is magical!! 🙂 (heart shape). I will donate more next time….Thank you for all you do!!
Christine–5 stars & photos, comments: “Very beautiful fascinating gardens. I am taking some friends back tomorrow for a picnic. I am very much looking forward to spending time there.”
Ethereal–5 stars, photos & comments: “The world is a better place when you experience a natural beautiful space – I want to thank the people who maintain this amazing gardenscape. The details and the love are apparent and noted – such an inspiration and a beautiful slice of Heaven on Earth.”
rmwatpdx–5 stars and comment: “Nice little garden area to get ideas from for my own home.”
Lorena–(comment in an email) “Took my 95-year-old mother to the Naturescape Garden garden last night. We had not been this summer for some crazy reason, and she absolutely loved it. We were there quite a while, soaking it all in. She was able to walk around in the gravel path with her walker. Thanks for being part of the group who provide so much beauty.”
Note: Full disclosure she also said “Thinking about people in wheelchairs or electric scooters, gravel paths might not be negotiable for them.”
Nature Related Quote of the Month
From Gary Snyder: Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.
Enjoy! If you are at the Clark County Fair, come see our table in the Exhibit Hall!!