As we know, change is always our companion:

Meet new Office Assistant Libby Carter,

Libby is from Marshalltown, IA, but she currently resides in Cedar Falls. Libby's educational background includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services and a certificate (also from UNI) in Nonprofit Excellence. 

This year’s Winter planning was a time to begin to incorporate past projects into the Arboretum’s future. A new look with the addition of fencing along the road to better define the point of entry into the grounds. We took out the old circle drive and planted grass with the idea of using the space for a new/old garden (more on that later). We did some smaller enhancements to some areas. A time of fewer new projects but a time to enjoy the maturation of the ones started last year.

Front Entrance

Starting this year, we will charge a small fee to access the gardens. In order to define a single point of entry we have installed fencing along the road to the parking area. We have added more and better signage throughout the grounds. We have added interest to the entrance as well with new plantings.

Trails A sub-committee had previously come up with a plan to define and map a complete trail system for the entire Arboretum Grounds and this year they became a reality.

New Signage

We are underway with a project to make our educational signs easier to read, more informative, and more attractive to look at.

Enhancements to the Children’s Garden

Always one of the most popular spots in the grounds; it got some attention this year as well. The team; Jan Guthrie, Nancy Friedman, Melinda Young, Carol Dufel, Randy Robinson, and Howard Craven. They re-purposed the one silo into a General Store and the other into a Music Station and added a Teepee to the small prairie by the fence.

Orchard

In 2015 the long winter of planning became action as the Master Gardener Orchard became a reality. In the spring the trees were planted and the irrigation system was installed; the perimeter fence was added; and the gazebo was erected. A gravel path was constructed for the entrance and the sign was erected.

Fall Harvest Festival

All the gardens are spectacular this year; the peacock has been joined by a frog, the hillside garden is maturing nicely and the rest are just terrific as well.

We always seek to expand our great tree collection. With the generous grants from Green Scene and donations from faithful individuals, we were able to plant 20 new trees this year.

·        3 Redbud

·        3 Fiesta Maple

·        3 American Elm

 And one each

·        Norway Royal Red Maple

·        Adirondack Crab

·        Spring Snow Crab

·        Clump River Birch

·        Royal Star Magnolia

·        Weeping Larch

·        Weeping Blue Spruce

·        Weeping Hemlock

·        Weeping Alaskan Cedar

·        Dwarf Norway Spruce

·        Dwarf Jack Pine

I know one thing for sure

VOLUNTEERS ROCK!

Once again, let’s remember that the Board of Directors are volunteers

Autumn

Cyndie

Diane

Dick

Gary

George

Heidie

Ian

Kathy

The sun is setting and fall is in the air, time to say farewell to this year and move on as we take a glimpse at the tranquil beauty of this place. Truly gorgeous all year round.