A master plan is critical for a botanic or public garden of any size, to give it a sense of mission and purpose, and then to guide priorities to accomplish its goals.
Read more »A Vibrant, Welcoming and Diverse Future for UW Botanic Gardens: UWBG’s Co-Directors in Conversation
"The Arboretum is over 230 acres and it is absolutely a public space. And when we say public that means everyone, not just the people that live close by," says Christina Owen, co-director of UWBG.
Read more »Helping Gardens Grow: How volunteers nurture new plants to support the Arboretum Foundation
If you’ve ever wandered the Washington Park Arboretum delighting in the year-round plant displays and wishing you could take a piece of the experience home, then be sure to explore the Pat Calvert Greenhouse on your next visit. The greenhouse—and the volunteer effort behind it—were established by its namesake in 1959. Pat Calvert was inspired to create a space for Arboretum Foundation members to practice propagation, and she worked with the Foundation to secure funds to build the structure and start the program.
Read more »A glimpse into the past – a Volunteer Thank You
All non-profit organizations live and breathe with volunteers. The University of Washington Botanic Gardens counts on hundreds of volunteers and has prospered with their help for over 75 years. The major support group for the Washington Park Arboretum is the Arboretum Foundation, and the Northwest Horticultural Society supports many aspects of the Center for Urban Horticulture and the Elisabeth C. Miller Library.
Read more »A glimpse into the past - the Director’s Holiday Open House
For 13 years, the Director’s Holiday Open House was a tradition for all University of Washington Botanic Gardens staff (from the Center for Urban Horticulture and Washington Park Arboretum), Arboretum staff from the City of Seattle, all volunteers, Arboretum Foundation board members, and other friends and dignitaries. It began when John A. Wott moved to the Washington Park Arboretum in 1993 to become the first on-site director in many years.
Read more »Glimpse into the past – Puget Sound Rhododendron Hybrid Garden
Since the late 1930s, the Puget Sound region has been regarded by some as the best rhododendron growing region in the U.S.A., with documentation for over 2000 hybrid rhododendrons. Washington Park Arboretum has always been a leader in showcasing rhododendrons, including species and hybrids. The hybridization of rhododendrons was one of the legacies of both the former curator, Joe Witt, and the former director Brian O.
Read more »A glimpse into the past: the early years of FlorAbundance
The first major plant sale in Seattle (now called FlorAbundance) was sponsored by the Arboretum Foundation as a fund raiser for what was then the University of Washington Arboretum. The sales were originally held in a small building called Floral Hall, which later burned down.
Read more »Oral History of UWBG Open House Nov. 1
The public is invited to a presentation of the Oral History of UWBG project on Tuesday, November 1, from 5 - 7 pm in the Miller Library. Several displays will showcase the interview collection and will remain on exhibit in the library from Oct 21 until the week of Nov 20.
Read more »Plant Sale Season Now in Full Swing
Charitable plant sales take place all over the Northwest every year and this cold wet spring is no exception. Take a look at our plant sale calendar, then go out and buy a few plants for a good cause.
Read more »Arboretum Foundation urges UW Interim President Wise to Maintain Washington Park Arboretum Funding
In late February UW Interim President Phyllis Wise sent a report to the Washington State Legislature regarding potential budget cuts at UW specifically naming the Washington Park Arboretum. In response the Arboretum Foundation Board sent President Wise a letter urging her to maintain funding at current levels. Local writer Valerie Easton provides background information on this issue and contact details for state legislators.
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