NatureScaping Volunteers!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped maintain the Wildlife Botanical Gardens in 2015!  The Garden Coordinators work tirelessly every week to keep the Gardens thriving and welcoming to visitors.  This year, the NatureScaping Board decided to send a photo card from Terry Covington with a $25 Fred Meyer gift certificate enclosed to five volunteers who worked many hours helping our Garden Coordinators.  These hardy volunteers are: Patricia and Ken Foster, Tami Louie, Jake Cooper, Emily LeGore, and Joshua Benjamin.

We also want to acknowledge and thank Mari Osmundsen and Sandy McGaw who volunteered many hours in the Collectors Garden in 2015.

Garden Coordinator/Apprentices are Needed

If you know of a gardener who wants a garden to find physical exercise, quiet meditation among beautiful scenery, active birds and like minded gardeners, please refer them to us by leaving us a message at 360.737.1160 or info@naturescaping.org

New Positions for 2016

Welcome Larry Fletch, Development and Communications Coordinator, and Marlene Dellsy, Administrative Assistant, as they begin as paid contractors on January 1st.

Larry Fletch has the experience we need to develop new educational programs for NatureScaping.  Larry worked many years with ESD 112 as a teacher, administrator; and developed service learning curriculums as a Resource Center Coordinator and Program Manager. He has written numerous grants and educational curriculums, and conducted many workshops and conferences.   We are excited to contract with Larry to help us with grant writing and development of our mission through new educational programs.

Many of you know Marlene Dellsy from our monthly classes and Bare Root Tree, Shrubs & Perennials Sale.  As of January 1st, Marlene will be compensated for her administrative support.  She will continue greeting class attendees, sending out our monthly class announcements, quarterly newsletters and other correspondence. Marlene will be our volunteer coordinator for the Bare Root Trees, Shrubs & Perennials Sale, Home & Idea Fair, Art in the Garden, and Bird Fest. Marlene has excellent writing and organizational skills, is a Master Composter/Recycler and is passionate about the mission of NatureScaping!  We look forward to her support and sharing of her great ideas!

2016 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 23-24 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and

April 30 – 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

NatureScaping members can shop early on April 23rd 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 Marlene Dellsy 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!

Master Composter/Recycler (MCR) Free Training –

Become a Master Composter/Recycler!

Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Master Composter/Recycler training. The training is FREE and attendees receive tons of information and resources on composting, recycling, green cleaning, green building, water quality, and other aspects of sustainable living.

The 12 week class meets once a week beginning January 28 and running through April 14. Classes take place Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 pm.

All are welcome to apply! 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.

Winter Planning for Spring

While we are inside due to winter weather, we dream of spring and this is an ideal time to start planning.  Don’t forget our wildlife…:

Useful ideas to help wildlife:

  • Put up birdhouses in March for chickadees, wrens, swallows, and woodpeckers.
  • Provide separate bird feeders for sunflower seeds, thistle seeds, and suet so birds can choose their favorite.
  • Plant specialty gardens such as flowering patches for hummingbirds and butterflies
  • Plant extra for wildlife in your vegetable garden and let it go to seed in the fall for your bird-feeding program.
  • Leave shrubs unpruned as much as possible.
  • Mulch with lawn clippings and leaf litter, and pile shrub and tree clippings under your trees.
  • Make a dust bath for birds (a shallow hollow in the ground with dry dirt).
  • “Replant” a log in a secluded spot for salamanders and for wrens, sparrows, robins, and towhees to perch on and look for bugs.
  • Keep a diary of your wildlife observations.
  • Attend our January 12th Class on Landscaping for Wildlife.
  • Attend our February 20th class on rain gardens and other storm water management best practices.
  • Attend our March 19th class on pruning.

Check out NatureScaping’s website: www.naturescaping.org and our Facebook page for classes and event information, or call us at 360.737.1160

We are an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization.  Donations are appreciated!