Winter 2013 Newsletter

THANK YOU TO OUR EAGLE SCOUTS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS!

Chas Cooper (pictured on left) completed his Eagle Scout project last fall, when he rebuilt the Cottage Garden arbor, and sanded and resealed two benches in the Hummingbird Garden. Great job!

The Compost area now has two bat houses on a pole and a rock pile for “herps”, thanks to Eagle Scout, Austin Ostrander. Please drop by and check it out!

COMPOST VOLUNTEERS WORKED HARD IN OCTOBER

Thank you to the Clark County Master Composter Recyclers, under the tutelage of Compost Coordinator, Barb Rider, who built (with cuttings from the Wildlife Botanical Gardens) a Hugel Kulture berm. Hugel Kulture (German for mound) is an old European farming method.

With the help of Restorative Community Service students, Clark College students, Master Composter Recycler and NatureScaping volunteers, we accomplished:

1. covering the center of the Hugel Kulture berm in the compost area with 6-8″ of topsoil, then,
2. a light layer of bark, and lastly,
3. planted Nootka roses (from the NW Natives Garden) on the top (more native plants to come!).
4. Covered most of the remaining topsoil pile with tarps.
5. Moved the big worm bin onto Barb’s truck so they can spend the winter on her porch.

It rained like the dickens and everyone got VERY muddy, but, it was fun. Several of our student volunteers had never planted anything in the ground before in their lives, and were a bit hesitant to try, but, eventually did “give it a go” and seemed to really enjoy it.

Come out and see the Hugel Kulture berm and learn how to create one in your garden!

GEOCACHING

Are you a geocacher or interested in this fun, family outdoor activity? The Wildlife Botanical Garden’s clues and cache were recently updated. To learn about this family, outdoor, fun game, click on the following link: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=26169097-e2c6-454f-b95f-6cd21cbfde3e.

JOIN NATURESCAPING AND THE WILDLIFE BOTANICAL GARDENS FOR FUN AND INSPIRATION!

Can you believe it, it’s already 2013! I treasure all the volunteers who worked with enthusiasm and spirit at The Wildlife Botanical Gardens and in the community completing all our administrative tasks, outreach, etc. To our community partners, our members and donors, I repeat this statement every year which is so very heartfelt and true: “Without your support NatureScaping and the Wildlife Botanical Gardens would not exist.”

NatureScaping’s January 8th Board meeting will include our open election for new board members and officers. If you are member of NatureScaping, or want to become a member, and would like to join our board, please contact me (contact information on newsletter heading).

I am so excited for the new and wonderful creations and growth occurring at the Wildlife Botanical Gardens in 2013, including welcoming the new Officers and Board Members elected on January 8th.

Karyn Weber
President

Everyone’s Invited! Members and the public are welcome to attend the NatureScaping Board Meetings, scheduled for the second Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. at New Seasons Market Fisher’s Landing, Community Room, 2100B SE 164th Ave., Vancouver.

UPCOMING EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

SPRING: Hope to see you all at our Annual Bare Root Tree, Shrubs and Plant Sale on April 27 & 28th, 2013! If you are available to volunteer, please contact Kent Gentry, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@naturescaping.org or call him at (503)724-6357.

SUMMER: “Art in the Gardens” Show and Sale in July (date to be announced).

Sunday, July 14, 2013, the Wildlife Botanical Gardens will participate in the Clark County Earth-Friendly Gardens Tour – a self-led tour of gardens across Clark County.

MONTHLY CLASSES: We are currently scheduling classes for 2013. For a schedule of monthly class offerings, from January to November, please see our website at http://www.naturescaping.org/classes.php.

DONATIONS NEEDED

Hoop House or Greenhouse

Small boulders for garden borders to replace railroad ties

New gardening gloves and new, or gently-used, gardening tools and wheelbarrows

Card table, 4 – 6 ft. length tables; tent canopies – small and large

Small riding tractor, with attachments (grass cutter, roto-tiller, cart)

Monetary donations to NatureScaping are appreciated ! A donation of $20 or more to NatureScaping includes annual membership, newsletters, invitation to Garden Events, free admission to NatureScaping classes, tax deduction, purchase of above needed items, and renovations and maintenance of the Wildlife Botanical Gardens.

Mail your check payable to NatureScaping, PO Box 891, Camas, WA 98607. Please do not send cash. All monies will be used to benefit NatureScaping and the Wildlife Botanical Gardens.

Special Thanks to our Newsletter Coordinator: Terry Covington! She is also a frequent photographer in the Wildlife Botanical Gardens. Following are some of her beautiful photos.