2005 Annual Report
The Mission of The Bickelhaupt Arboretum is to serve
as a connection between people and plants through a
better understanding of horticulture by developing and
maintaining a well-documented collection of landscape plants
adapted to this region for education and enjoyment.
BOARD - This past year, 2005, has been a year of balance. The Board, Staff and Volunteers have worked together to balance new gardens with existing ones, new programs and ideas with the more traditional, and innovative maintenance techniques with standard procedures. The Board of Directors has advised, designed and planned while the Staff, with volunteer assistance, has carried out the ideas. The family has given the financial support coupled with their experience of thirty-five years. Bob Bickelhaupt was honored with the National Arbor Day Foundation Lawrence Enerson Award; Frances and Bob received the 2005 Outstanding Friend of the College by Clinton Community College Alumni Association; Ed Hasselkus received the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticulture Society; the Arboretum received an award from ISU Master Gardeners for the opportunities offered for collaboration with the Master Gardeners, as well as the Clinton Convention and Visitor's Bureau recognition for 35 years in the community; Francie received the CVB Champion of Tourism award for promoting tourism in Clinton. Advice from the Board was given on the grounds and in the community. In addition to the bi-annual consultation, Ed, Jeff Iles and Alan Craig have spent time with lead volunteers in the special gardens following the May and October Board Meetings. These bi-annual reviews of the grounds are the basis of our plans for years to come. Justin "Chub" Harper's pine straw mulch project was initiated as a test in the Hosta Glen and entry to the Heartland. Jeff and Ed helped with the Clinton Sesquicentennial Project of Fifth Avenue Elms. Chub, Jeff and Alan have given us papers on Plant of the Month for our web page. Chub resigned from the Board of Directors and has agreed to serve as an Advisor to the Arboretum. He played an important role in helping the Bickelhaupt Arboretum achieve state, regional, and now national recognition. His generous donations of plant materials, grounds maintenance advice, guidance, mentoring and overall service to the Board are on full display each day in the Heartland Collection of Garden Conifers.
COLLECTIONS AND GROUNDS - Balancing additions to the collections and maintenance of the grounds was a focus in 2005. The South Fourteenth Street Project to open up the view to the Heartland included major transplanting or removal of crowded, unhealthy or duplicated specimens and removal of river rock weighing many tons. The area was leveled, augmented with soil, transplanted with a tree spade more than a dozen large conifers from the Heartland and then chipped; a split rail fence was added. The Klehm Peony Garden was planted and will be a display of newer recommended cultivars donated by our friend, Roy Klehm. Staff and volunteers transplanted the Wildflower Garden to a shadier location. A bog garden at the top of the existing waterfall was designed, planted and maintained by volunteers. Rock garden preparation and planting included limestone steps added to replace the railroad ties, a downspout to Rock Creek buried to prevent rainwater from washing through the new garden, the wall repaired, large limestone rocks placed on the hillside and, after being advised by Gary Whittenbaugh and Randy Dykstra, ROOTS Advisory Board Members, planting was begun. This year, the lack of rain affected us by requiring many hours of watering new plants and other plants which were stressed. The woodchips added over the years have made a tremendous difference in holding moisture in the ground during times of drought. The weeping willow was removed, as the cost of annual pruning of dead limbs was never ending, and we were advised that the tree was becoming a hazard to visitors. Staff and volunteers laid the pine straw mulch which will be a demonstration of another form of mulch with strong visual appeal, as well as a test to see the stability, longevity, porosity, weed control and workability of the product. As in previous years, chipping was a major project. The quadrants are chipped annually with emphasis on top dressing established beds and re-edging, sodding and shrinking others. Grounds were inspected by the Department of Agriculture State Nursery Inspector and our taxidermy display was checked by the Clinton County Game Warden. Visitors specific to the collections included Roy Klehm of Song Sparrow, Beaver Creek and Klehm Nursery, Kathryn Newman and Ron and Donna Dieter of Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Gardens, H.C. Eastwood and Francie Schroder of Eastwood Nurseries, Jeff Rathje of Lasting Beauty Landscaping, Randy Dykstra of Heartland Gardens and Dennis Hermsen; Landscape architect Dennis Buettner; Garden writer Jimmy Williams; Propagator Rich Larson of Dawes Arboretum: some cut scions, others evaluated the plants and all supported our efforts. Winter jobs included servicing of equipment, computer plant database work, updating the Celebration and Memorial plant records, pruning, chipping and working on plant orders. Taxidermy display additions were a donated short-eared owl and ground hog. An otter and muskrat were given to us and will be mounted. Animal damage is controlled with electric fences and cages which are put up and removed every fall and spring. Changes were made in the plant data base: improvements included removal of unused fields and addition of a field which included size of plants. Volunteers were more involved this year in the design and planting of the specialty gardens, in addition to the continued maintenance responsibilities. Additionally, volunteers have updated the Material Safety Data Sheet, begun re-labeling every plant in the Heartland with common name, measuring the plants and mapping the specialty gardens.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS/EVENTS - It is always a search for a balance for time in the community and on the grounds. Examples of community relations include: Fifth Avenue Elm project in collaboration with Clinton Trees Forever. Ed and Jeff offered advice on tree selection, CTF viewed some of the specimens here on the grounds, trees were planted with help from our staff and volunteers and later Dave instructed volunteers with a hands-on lesson in pruning of the vigorous plants. We also worked with CTF on the Third Grade Classroom Hemlock Project. Our help with the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in the community and the number of visitors we attract, led to a donation of a lighthouse by Valley Bank for the Arboretum, which had been displayed downtown during the Sesquicentennial Celebration Christmas greens were shared with our classes, Clinton Trees Forever, Clinton County ISU Master Gardeners, Downtown street planters, Clinton Community College as well as several churches. First Presbyterian and Christ Episcopal church held services on the grounds, as well as the annual Mercy Hospice Memorial Service. The meetings in the Visitors Center or the grounds included: Clinton Rotary, CVB Board of Directors, Clinton Trees Forever, Downtown Sculpture Garden meeting, NelsonCorp financial planners (who use our Visitors Center and Margo Hansen, one of our ROOTS Advisory Board Members presents the program), Homeless Coalition seminar, Washington Middle School Courtyard project meetings, Habitat for Humanity public relations committee meetings, Sesquicentennial committee meetings, YWCA Board Retreat, Eviron-Kids and YWCA Financial Development, in addition to the many meetings of our specialty gardens and groups of volunteers. Weddings were held from May through November. Events held annually at the Arboretum include spring and fall equinox and summer and winter solstice programs, Earth Day, ButterflyFest, (this year with a reception for the garden donors) and Herb Faire. At every opportunity in August and September, butterflies are tagged and released. The Butterfly Project in the Visitors Center, which has examples of various stages of development, attracts attention throughout the summer. We were awarded Monarch Way Station status, at the time one of only four in the state of Iowa and the only public garden so designated.
EDUCATION/TOURS - As with community relations, we try to keep a balance between programs off the grounds and those on the grounds. We recognize that some groups are unable to come to the Arboretum or that a presentation is requested as part of an off-site conference. Presentations were made at Bald Eagle Days, Martin Luther King Celebration Peace Station, Clinton Bridal Fair, Camanche Breakfast Kiwanis, Clinton Public Library Brown Bag Lunch and Immanuel Lutheran ELCA Conference. "Saturday at the Arb" classes titled Heirloom Seeds, Growing Herbs, Leopold bench construction and Miniature Gardening were held, as well as the annual wreath classes, which this year featured thirteen different greens from the first phase of the Heartland Project. Radio programs in Maquoketa, "Grapevines" on KROS in Clinton, many articles in the Quad City Times, Fulton Journal, Salk Valley CVB insert and our weekly "Green Scene" in the Clinton Herald, as well as some feature writing on weddings and gardening, all promoted the classes and events. There was a continuation of the collaboration with ISU Clinton County Master Gardeners in the Plant Partner program in which more than 150 questions were fielded during the twice a week phone-in sessions as well as the Annual Plant Sale with many meetings, raising and storage of plants at the Arboretum. We hosted some of the MG intern classes here, with the conservatory being used as the hands on presentation on Indoor Plants. Tours of the grounds were given to Friendship Force of WI, Morrison Garden Club, Rockford Wildflower Garden Club, five PEO chapters, Membership Director Clinton Chamber of Commerce, Curriculum Director Clinton Public Schools, four Red Hat Clubs, Amber Ridge Nursing Home, Wa-Tan-Ye, Chancy Lutheran Church Women, Fulton Garden Photography Club, Northwest Community School District Retirees, Davenport Horticultural Society, Zion Lutheran Church Women's Group, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum staff, Cordova Public Library, Second Reformed Church of Fulton, Evangelical Free Church M & M group, Christ Episcopal Church Women, Morrison Fun Away Tour, Bickford Cottages, Church of Latter Day Saints Women's Guild, DeWitt Garden Club, Zion Lutheran Church Super Wednesday. Tours or activities at the Arboretum were given to school, Scout and Camp groups; Clinton Schools - Students from Whittier, Bluff, Horace Mann, Jefferson and Prince of Peace, as well as from the 21st Century After School Program, Behavior Disorder class, Science teachers and Lincoln Alternative High School classes from Clinton; Preston High School, River City Pre-School, Tipton Bible Church School, Christ Lutheran School fifth graders, YWCA daycare and Camanche Tiger Scouts. Children from Adventure Zone and Discovery summer camps through park district and YWCA/YMCA toured, learned and took part in special activities. The summer weekly program "Grow Your Garden" was designed and administered by ISU Clinton County Extension and Master Gardeners. Weekend tours, directed by volunteers were led April through November as well as on holidays.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS - We are grateful as we recognize the major contribution from Frances and Bob to cover the day-to-day operations of The Arboretum. Other financial contributions were received through donations for Frances' book (A Private Couple Creates a Public Garden), from tours, postcards, weddings, thanks for special information received, gifts and memorial/celebrations. We thank the following: anonymous donations, Christ Episcopal Church, Clinton County Ag Extension, Clinton Trees Forever, and Women of the ELCA Cluster Five, M&M Program Evangelical Free Church, Larry Bahnsen, Carol and Dan Jefferies, NelsonCorp Wealth Management, Nifty Fifty Red Hat Club, PEO Chapter FI, JW and MH, Judy and Dan Peterson, The Willing Workers of Second Reformed Church Fulton IL, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Tyznik, Women of the Wa-Tan-Ye Club and Wildflower Garden Club Rockford IL. and in honor of her 90th birthday: Mrs. John B. Van Allen; Shawn and Jim Lamb, Meggan and Vincent McQueeney and Mia and J. Hill in honor of Robert Bickelhaupt's 91st birthday. Memorials to: Arlo Petersen and Frank Stephens by Paula and Allen Christiansen and Dena Petersen; Dwight Johnson and Justin Faur by Sherril Johnson; Anita V. Meade from children Wendy Scott, LeAnn McCallister and Daylyn Meade; Mary Jane Case by Penny and Dan Fullerton, Linda and Henry Nicholson and Judith A. Wick; and Danny and Sharon Boardsen by Danny Boardsen Jr. and family; Sharon Boardsen Smith by Dolores Callahan, Nancy Luthans Olsen, Jane B. Peterzen, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vining.
GIFTS AND SERVICES CONTRIBUTIONS - Contributions of services, plants, books for the library and discounted goods are listed as in-kind donations from the following: Aegis Credit Union, Aim Computers, Sharon and Dwaine Albers, Julie and Charles Allesee, Jo Aulick, Larry Bahnsen, Bailey Nurseries, Donna and Curt Barto, Beckwith Commercial Roofing Incorporated, Bluff Service Center, Mrs. N. Bossen, Boyce Monument Company, Dorothy Braver, Rosemary Coplan, Carver Ace Hardware, Clinton Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Clinton Community College Technical Drafting and Computer Aided Design Department, Clinton County Master Gardeners, Clinton Herald, Clinton Printing Company, Bill Cornelius, Alan Craig, Marie Dudley, Eastern Iowa Community College District, Family Video, Chris and Kendra Farwell, Foley's Tree Care, Fulton Corporation, Linda and Peter Galanis, Maxine Hagge, Chub Harper, Shawn Hill-Lamb, Sandy Hughes, Hyponex Organic Business Group, Insurance Group, Ion Exchange, Iseli Nursery, Vince Jetter, KMAQ-Radio, Linnea Koch, KROS-Radio, McLane Office Equipment, Ruby Matthew, Carol and Gene Michael, Midwest Groundcovers, Carol Miller, DeEtta Montgomery, Art Ollie, Joyce Ollie, Quad City Times, Bill Rathje, Marcella Reif, Arlan Reiling, Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery, Rick's Taxidermy, R.S.V.P., George Schlenker, Dee Schuler, Scotts Company, Song Sparrow Perennial Farms, Sunnyfield Greenhouse and Gardens, Turner Electric, Stephen Vorheis and Joe Weston.
PERSONNEL - Dave assisted at the Rare Plant Affair in the QC at the auction. He attended the Gardening Saturday program at NDSU and Grand Forks Horticulture Society with Gary and also the Regional American Conifer Society meetings. Dave and Jerry attended the Shade Tree Short Course at ISU. The annual Staff field trip was to Twin Ponds, Timber Ridge Gardens and Dubuque Arboretum. Francie attended the meetings of ISU Extension Citizens Advisory and Eastern Iowa Tourism, the National Arbor Day Awards presentations, as well as the Monarch over-wintering site in El Rosario, Mexico with a Natural Habitat group. Dave and Francie joined Volunteers and visited the new Children's Garden at Morton Arboretum. Kayla Daniels was our valuable summer worker.
VISITORS - The Arboretum recorded an increase of 24% in visitors in 2005 of 25,309. Among visitors from many geographic places, gardens and nurseries, tourists and local residents, it is estimated that 30% visit without signing our Guest Registry. Web visits totaled 26,783 in 2005.
VOLUNTEERS - Our volunteer total is 94, which seems to be a good balance of Board, ROOTS Advisory Board, and volunteers in the categories of Adult and Children's education, Special Events, Labels, Library, Maintenance, Plant Partners, Office, Reflection Walk, Resources, Touring/Cart, Wedding and the gardens: Bog, Butterfly, Herb, Indoor, Perennial, Rock, Roses, Waterfall and Wildflower. Of special mention this year is the web page www.bickarb.org, developed and maintained by Bill Cornelius, with information and support from all the volunteers, who provide material ranging from Plant-of-the-Month to activities which are featured. Our intern from the Graphic Arts Department of Clinton Community College developed a new walking map of the grounds, updated our grounds map and developed a marketing piece on our Mercy Hospice Herb Garden for the Mercy Oncology Center. The category of Maintenance Volunteers was developed to meet needs for sanding the brick path, fencing, repairing the Nursery, building trellises, drainpipe installation and assisting Staff in other jobs. The Volunteer Recognition is an annual October event following the bi-annual, Board of Directors meeting, which provides the opportunity for Board and volunteers to meet one another. Total recorded hours for 2005 was 3864, an increase of 287 hours from 2004 statistics. The Points of Light Foundation states: "The Dollar figure of $17.19/hour is generated from the average hourly wage for non-agricultural workers, as determined in the Bureau of Labor Statistics, then increased by 12% to account for benefits." This is categorized as an in-kind donation of volunteer hours of more than $66,422.16 to the Arboretum.
LOOKING AHEAD - We have begun a relationship with Clinton Public Schools to balance our resources and after school classes within the curriculum guidelines. Completion of the publication listing Iowa public gardens is a goal for next year, as well as writing the final chapter of Frances' book. We will continue to focus on balance between new and existing gardens, between additions to the collections and maintenance of them between time in the community and at the Arboretum and offering volunteers different roles. These balances guide us in fulfilling our mission: serving as a connection between people and plants.
Francie B. Hill, Executive Director
Prepared for May 7, 2004 Annual Meeting