We always try to have a presence at local events. This is Cathy at one of them this month.

We can never praise our loyal volunteers enough for the work they do.



I don't know everyone in this photo, so I am unable to include names-but that does not mean you are not appreciated

Left to right; Sandi, Diane, Bonnie, Yvonne

As I mentioned, I am still on the mowing crew and today is the first day for mowing. Here I am with our present Director Lu and our Office Coordinator Shelby.

MAY

This year UNI along with the Cedar Valley tourist organization did a special program to highlight the university mascot “TC”. Local artists created their interpretation of how best TC could reflect a particular sponsor. The local artist that created our photo backdrop in the Children’s Garden painted our “Botanic Cat” Here she is next to our cat, to her right board member Lindsey, and on the other side Lu and Cathy.

The rest of this month I only have two photos of some visitors in the Welcome Center Garden.

The Summer months marched along to their own beat without any photographic record, but we pick it up as Fall approaches.

September

All summer I am just mowing and not taking my usual photos, but by the time Fall rolls around, I feel there may be a need for me to jump back in-so I started to document some of what is going on at the “ARB”.

We did some bands on the patio again this year.

Tracy had another work day with a group-a school class this time

Toward the end of the month, I decided to record how spectacular the gardens are looking.

Toward the end of the month, I decided to record how spectacular the gardens are looking.

OCTOBER

We are now into my favorite time of the year. The Arboretum struts her stuff as another season draws to a close.

It is time for Autumn at the Arboretum, fewer scare crow vignettes this year and we focus on special programs each Sunday of the month culminating in the popular witch’s dance

We rounded out the month with the annual volunteer appreciation day.

NOVEMBER

We are now officially closed for the season, however, some folks did pay us a visit

DECEMBER

As our year comes to an end, the board and staff have a strategic planning session with the Midwest Studies Group representative.

It is the end of the month and as I walk around with my camera, I am feeling a warm nostalgic glow, and it seems like yesterday when I first basked in the glory of this space.  We are indeed growing and changing, the trees remain a steadfast anchor, but people come and go. We all strive to leave our mark and to help improve this place however we can.

Let's leave this year on a high note, we now have a new fence around the Rose Garden and the Children's Garden

To round out this year; here are some of the major accomplishments we were able to make to our infrastructure thanks to some incredibly generous donors.