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!

September Class
September 11th class from 10am – 12pm entitled ~Small Space Herb Gardening ~ presented by Erin Harwood and Eloyce O’Connor, Co-Owners of Garden Delights Herb Farm https://www.gardendelightsfarm.com/
Learn how to get herbs (and which ones) into small spaces using a variety of techniques. Come be inspired regardless of the size of your growing space!
Although we were hoping this would be an in-person class conducted in the gardens, current circumstances compel us to use technology instead. Therefore, this will be an online Zoom class.
Save the Dates
GiveMore24
 
Thursday September 23rd.
Give More 24! is southwest Washington’s largest day of giving–24 hours when our region comes together to support and celebrate local nonprofits. Give More 24! brings together our entire region for 24 hours of generosity. By giving together we have the potential to make one incredible impact.
As one of our goals is education, please help the Wildlife Botanical Gardens improve educational signage in the gardens.
Perennial, Bulb & Seed Swap
October 2nd 10am – 1pm
We are again partnering with the Master Gardeners of Clark County to help provide all of those gardeners who want to find homes for their excess plants, bulbs and seeds a way to do so while at the same time perhaps getting some new plant material in exchange. Bring some, get some. We will have volunteers to help answer your questions while you reflect upon new additions to your yard. We do ask that you follow certain guidelines to make things easier for everyone.
Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday Morning Work Parties
Saturday morning work parties (SMWP) will continue through October. Each Saturday morning, we will pair volunteers with one of our garden coordinators who will supervise and guide various tasks around the gardens. We have created a sign up system using SignUpGenius. Additional sign up dates will be added.
Make contact with the earth, get some exercise and help contribute to the beauty of our gardens. You may even learn some things!
Coordinator Search
Do you have a passion to learn about and garden with Pacific NW native plants? The Wildlife Botanical Gardens are in need of a Coordinator to maintain our NW Natives Garden. This is a good time of year to begin volunteering with us as we will end the season in late October. Curious but not sure? Maybe just volunteer this fall and then decide if the Coordinator position is a fit for you starting in March 2022? We ask for a commitment of 3 hrs per week from March through October. Contact me for more information.
Did you notice?
Have a seat….
The Flying Flowers Garden has yet another bench “now available for contemplative sitting”  reconditioned by woodworker Kurt and donated by one of our members. It is located on the latest new path through the FFG garden which “opens up visual access to a number of plants otherwise hidden from view.” Thanks go to Kurt, Tori and the FFG co-coordinators!
Name that insect…
Due to the keen eyes and time taken by one of our regular volunteers and one of our gardeners, it has been officially
determined by the WSDA that one of our recent garden (insect) visitors is in fact a beneficial pollinator that eats pest insects and NOT an Asian giant hornet. A bit ominous looking, they can sting but usually don’t unless provoked. What native insect is it?……a great golden digger wasp! See pic taken in the Manor Garden and a link to more information. Great detective work!

Members Missives
 
News/communications relating to members……if you have items to share please let me know.
Separate upcoming events being conducted by two entrepreneurs in our NatureScaping “family” ….
Good Year Farms
Good Year Farms is a nursery in the Pacific Northwest specializing in plants native to the region. We grow many of our own plants from a range of genetic sources as well as network with other native plant nurseries to provide a wide and interesting selection.
The nursery is going to be open on weekends starting September 18th through the end of October. Fall plant sales start on September 18th and then they’ll have pumpkins and a Halloween celebration every weekend during the month of October. Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4pm(ish). 

29610 SE 23RD STREET, WASHOUGAL, WA 98671
*Right by Camas High School and up Woodburn Hill.
Ph. 360.907.0817

 

Honeymoon Farm Open House

Sept. 11 & 12 12:00–8:00pm
After much digging, plotting, and planning, Honeymoon Farm is finally open for business. It’s so rewarding to see our dreams take shape and we’d like to share our progress with you at our first-ever open house. We hope you’ll join us!
Bouquet Bar
Choose from a colorful selection of freshly picked seasonal stock and build your own bouquet.
Explore the Fields
Meander through our flower fields and discover what we have planned for our farm’s future.
Tour the Property
A portion of our 90 acres will be open for self-guided strolls, or you can ride in style with a chauffeured option complete with personal tour guide.
Raise a Glass
Those aged 21+ can enjoy an adult beverage in our Prohibition-era barn and speakeasy—perfect for private events and gatherings of all kinds.
Address:
28001 S. Meridian Rd
Aurora, OR 97002
To find us: After turning onto S. Meridian Rd., travel south roughly 2.3 miles and turn right at the white schoolhouse. There will be a sign marked “Honeymoon Farm.”
Phone:
(775) 790-3620
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!
Contributions from various visitors and members…
From a visitor (who made a donation):
“Thank you for letting us enjoy the lovely gardens. They were beautiful!”
From Grace: (edited for space)
“My dream is to create a garden on property that is a peaceful haven not just for ourselves but for local wildlife as well. In preparation for this, I have been visiting gardens and seeking through multiple avenues to add to my gardening knowledge. I spent a couple happy hours wandering through the Garden yesterday and can’t wait to bring my husband. Thank you so much for the inspiration and knowledge I have already received.”
From Larry (member, co-coordinator and regular contributor):
“Reflections in a birdbath” 
From Business Google
(Another) Grace:
“It’s a hidden gem of NW natural garden. I loved the bird heaven garden. No admission fee.”
 
Nature Related Quote of the Month
 
We could all use some of this….
 
From John Burroughs: “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”