2008 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.
Accomplishments:
- Collections, Financial and Personnel Policies updated
- Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden welcomed to our actively involved Board of Directors
- Computer purchased to better meet the requirements of our plant data records
- Featured in Mercy Healthcare Foundation calendar
- Black bear added to taxidermy cases
- 74 replacement plants, suited for this Zone for hardiness and disease/insect resistance, added to collections
- American Conifer Society national conference tour stop
- Bearded Iris collection added
- Continued collaboration with North Central Plant Introduction Station
- Finalized purchase and training on the Engraving Label Machine
- Plant records moved form Lotus to Excel programs
- 100 groups: tours, meetings, conference, schools/camps (YW/YMCA, Enviro-Kids, Mayterm), weddings and classes were hosted here
- 32,000 documented visitors
- Collaborated on programs with Clinton Community College, ISU Clinton Country Extension, Clinton Trees Forever, ChildrenÕs Discovery Center, Rotary, Early Childhood Bi-Lingual Education, Prince of Peace and Clinton Community School District. Clinton Art Association, Clinton Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Church of the Latter Day Saints.
- No Child Left Inside (curriculum-based outdoor program) introduced to 28 second and third grade classes to the Arboretum
- Dedicated memorial benches and trees
- Developed an annual calendar to reflect the variety of ways the garden could be involved with the public
- Initiated a photography contest through our web site
- Arts at the Arb brought music to the garden
- Horticulture in the Heartland conference offered classes to more than 180 students: an Arboretum outreach
- Wildflowers, Leopold Bench Building, Orchids, Wreath-making and Birding were part of Saturday at the Arb
- Butterfly Fest, Herb Faire, Solstice and Equinox events are part of our calendar
- Appreciated the continued donations of money, plants, hardscape, media coverage (Clinton Herald, Quad City Times DeWitt Observer and KROS, KCLN)
- 80 volunteers who work with Staff to plan, support, file, plant, maintain, construct, lead tours, teach classes, feed Monarchs, research herbs, spread the word about us in the community, are our most valuable resource.
- Staff, who are further educated by attending ISU Shade Tree Short Course, ACS meetings, travel to other gardens and nurseries, on the grounds or away represent our mission as they maintain our collections
Challenges:
- Budget wisely in these changing times
- Develop Friends program
- Adjust to removal of key plants and make each experience a learning one
- Enhance and improve the communication value of the web site and modernize it
- Continue with the growth and expansion of our programs previously partnered with CCC for nine years
Francie B. Hill, Executive Director
Prepared for May 7, 2004 Annual Meeting