Dunsmuir Botanical Garden

Programs: Outreach / education programoutreach / education program in 2017, the dbg has worked to expand the educational outreach to the identified target markets: children, other southern siskiyou county communities, area businesses, travelers and dunsmuir citizens. They have doone ths by adding qr readers to the plant bed, expanding and udating our list of plants, continuing the facebook link to our website, and continuing to host road scholars box car children in our gardens. Website: dbg continues to maintain and develop the website for the promotion of the organization's mission and activities. The use of the internet is cruical for increasing awareness of the gardens, what they offer and as an educational and horticultural resource. Newsletters and brochures: this year we again published a triannual newsletter; "from the garden's bench", to improve communication with the community and the sustaining membership of the botanical gardens. Dbg continues to update and distribute a tri-fold, color brochure throughout the area. The brochure is professionally designed and widely distributed in northern california, southern oregon and dunsmuir.

botanical gardens- capital improvement programthe dunsmuir botanical gardens (dbg) received a $5,000 grant from the shasta regional community foundation in december of 2016 to remove storm damaged and dieing trees due to erosion and insect infestation. The area had become hazardous for many to enjoy that area of the garden near the stage area. A master plan for ongoing eradication of damaged, dead and dieing trees has been developed for 2018 and the following five years. In 2017 dbg received a $2,500 grant from union pacific to assist with our educational goals by aquiring updated computer ad presentation equiment. A community service project for various volunteers was developed to refurbish and repair all of the memorial benches that are placed througout the botanical gardens. Volunteers will continue to work on this multi-year project. The dunsmuir high school senior class spends one day, as a part of their community service requirement, working with dbg volunteers and staff getting the gardens ready for the growing season. Students plant, rake, and clean-up debris and spread soil conditioners throughout the gardens. The alexander dunsmuir fountain fund was established in 2003 through private donations. The donations are designed for the restoration and maintenance of the fountain by the alexander dunsmuir family in the early 1890's. The fountain is located at the entrance of dunsmuir city park. The remaining funds will be used as needed to replace or repair the fountain as needed.

botanical gardens - maintenance programour goals for 2017 were to continue the cultural conditions within the dunsmuir botanical gardens; to work toward the completion of the master plan and to conserve native plants for the horticultural enjoyment of our visitors. Botanical gardens volunteers are recruited each year to prepare, fertilize and plant annuals and perennials which enhance the garden's flower beds. Many new plants, trees and other woody shrubs were added to the plant collections within the gardens this year. Ongoing maintenance, plant replacement and repairs were also a part of the gardens seasonal projects. Dbg continues to contract with the dunsmuir recreation and parks district for the services of a part-time gardener dedicated solely for the care and maintenanthe gardens from march through october. The gardener-with the supervision and direction of the volunteer gardens oversight chair, a hortculturalist and biologist- plants, weeds,prunes, deadheads, fertilizes and oversees the irrigation schedule, and makes needed repairs. The gardener also notifies the gardens oversight chair of any special needs or conditions in the gardens. Dbg continued its membership in the american public gardens association. The purpose of the association is to provide educational and technical assistance and resources to public gardens. It provided national exposure to member gardens through their membership listings and provides access to resources that will improve the educational opportunities within the dunsmuir botanical gardens.