NatureScaping Partners and Volunteers!
Thank you Master Gardener Foundation for your 2014 grant to NatureScaping of SW WA to build the educational kiosk pictured above.
In October, four Clark County Restorative Justice mentors and youth cleared the site at Wildlife Botanical Garden’s entrance by the NW Natives garden.
Building materials were purchased and some donated from Shur-way Building Center and Lowes. Volunteers, John Antell and Mitch Hardin installed the two 6×6 posts; Jim Ivy designed the roof and center display; then constructed the roof and center display.
NatureScaping of SW WA also received a grant from the Hardy Plant Society of OR for the kiosk’s Wildlife Botanical Gardens sign (created by Signs N More), and 53 “Native Plant of the Month” posters from the WA Native Plant Society. Additional education materials will be created through this grant. Thank you Hardy Plant Society of OR!
New WSU Gardening Website
Julie Carlsen and I recently met with Michael Reitenour, co-owner of NW Nursery Outlet, to plan our January 17th class, Pacific NW Trees & Shrubs. We got off topic while touring the Outlet talking about the wide spread damage to Azalea’s over the past few years due to the Azalea lace bug.
When I returned home I remembered the new WSU Extension “Gardening in Washington State” website, http://gardening.wsu.edu/ Mark this website to search whenever you seek information about garden or landscape questions of your own.
I searched this website for information on the Azalea lace bug. The Azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides) is a relatively new insect pest in the Pacific Northwest. The adult and larvae feed on the underside of leaves leading to mottled, stippled, yellow leaves which cannot recover. Here’s one portion of the information I found:
• Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides to preserve populations of beneficial predators which will help control lace bugs.
• Grow azaleas in shady areas to minimize damage.
• Hosing plants with a strong stream of water directed at the underside of leaves will help to remove them, and wingless nymphs will not return.
This is the time of year to do your research! Also check out: http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/gardening-for-life
Welcome 2015 with imagining, planning and visualizing your gardens…include native plants!
Meredith Hardin, President
Welcome Jillian Echlin, NatureScaping’s 2015 Event Coordinator
Hello NatureScaping of SW WA! As a past high school student at the Battleground School District’s Center for Agricultural Science and Environmental Education (CASEE), the Wildlife Botanical Gardens planted seeds towards my life-long interest in homesteading, bird watching, and abundant growing. Today, I’m pursuing a degree in outdoor education. My past employment includes community events coordinator for AmeriCorps, farmer, and middle school teacher. These endeavors support my future plans for my own patch of green where I can raise sunflowers, keep bees, and generally get my hands dirty.
Thank you NatureScaping of SW WA for this opportunity! I look forward to meeting you in the coming months!
2015 Bare Root Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, and Native Plants Sale
Mark your Calendars. Our Annual Fundraiser to maintain the Wildlife Botanical Gardens and CASEE natives propagation program is set for:
April 25-26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and
May 2 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
NatureScaping members can shop early on April 25th at 9:00 a.m.!
We will also have a booth at the Clark County PUD Home and Idea Fair.
Volunteers Needed for the Sale and Booth!
Email Jillian at volunteers@naturescaping.org if you would like to help! For every 4 hours you volunteer, you get a free tree or shrub! Share this post and volunteer with your friends!
Educational Opportunities
The Wildlife Botanical Gardens need a Compost Demonstration Site Coordinator! Look at our happy, smiling faces at the end of our November, rainy, chipping woody materials party!
Master Composter/Recycler (MCR) Free Training –
This 10 week class meets once a week, Thursdays 6 – 8:30 p.m., beginning February 5 through April 9. At graduation, trainees are certified as Master Composter/Recyclers and become sustainability ambassadors for the Clark County community. Trainees are asked to contribute 30 volunteer hours within a year of graduation to “pay back” their free training.
To learn more visit: http://www.columbiasprings.org/programs/mcr/become-a-master-composterrecycler/
For questions, contact Erik Horngren (MCR program coordinator) at 360-882-0936 x224 or mcr@columbiasprings.org
Check out NatureScaping’s website: www.naturescaping.org
and our Facebook page.
We are an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are appreciated!