TWIGS _FJOA Quarterly Newsletter

~ TWIGS ~

Quarterly Newsletter of

Friends of Jensen - Olson Arboretum

Spring Issue March 2018

Quarterly News and Updates

In this issue: American Primrose Society National Show, Infrastructure Improvements (yikes! - more construction!) and more...

Visit our website

Please join us for the American Primrose Society

National Show and Conference

May 4 - 6

Primula flaccida

Pam Eveleigh

2018 American Primrose Society

National Show and Conference

Keynote Speaker

The Arboretum, together with these sponsoring partners...American Primrose Society (APS), APS Juneau Chapter, Friends of Jensen-Olson Arboretum, Juneau Garden Club, BC Primula Group, and Juneau Master Gardeners...is pleased to host the annual APS Show.

Noted Primula enthusiast, Pam Eveleigh is our keynote speaker; she will offer lectures on primrose cultivation, primrose taxonomy, and primrose collecting as a lifelong pursuit, as well as a hands-on workshop. Other weekend highlights include: evening reception with Pam, nationally-judged primrose show, presentations, award banquet, and garden tours.

Registration information and all details can be found here.

See you at the Show!

Primula rosea

Infrastructure Improvements Continue...

Come see what’s happening…

This spring will be a busy one at the Arboretum with new and continuing construction of many needed improvements. These projects are funded from a variety of sources ranging from private donors to the 1% Sales Tax Initiative. April and May will be our transition months – please watch for the changing traffic and trail patterns as they take shape in the next few months, and come visit late in the growing season when we expect to have the Arboretum visitor entry fully completed.

Visitor Parking

At long last, we are going to have a proper parking lot. Last Fall, construction started on our new parking area adjacent to Glacier Highway. The 20-space, paved lot will be completed this spring as soon as the asphalt plant is operational. This parking lot will be signed and gated for visitor day use and does not allow overnight parking.

Arboretum Entrance/Access Trail

Coinciding with the new parking will be a new Arboretum access trail meandering through the forest and arriving at the kiosk. Trail Mix will construct this trail as soon as weather conditions permit. This pathway will enter the cultivated grounds at our existing information kiosk where we will construct a new entry court. This will be the only entry point into the Arboretum once constructed. The former parking area will be signed for ADA-only parking and access, as needed for ADA.

Arboretum Entry Court

The focus of the entry court will be a yellow cedar arch with bench seating that will lead into the cultivated areas of the Arboretum. Other associated infrastructure projects that will be constructed later in the season include an access gate at the top of the visitor access trail.

Infrastructure Wish List

A welcome panel (with visitor information and other signage) is also planned for the area adjacent to the parking lot. The timing of its construction will be determined by the availability of funding. Another possible project that could be installed this season is a permanent restroom. It too, will be dependent on securing construction funds.

The Word Garden word stones have been taken out of Winter storage (as of this morning) and are ready for your creative prose! Enjoy!

FJOA Seeks Board Members

Do you have a passion for the Arboretum? Are you interested in volunteering your time and energy in support of its programs? Become a Friends of Jensen - Olson Arboretum board member! If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact FJOA President, Pat Harris at friendsjoa@gmail.com or at 907.500.3366 to learn about the details.

~ Look for these highlights in the Summer issue of TWIGS ~

*The Veggie Garden keeps on giving

*Kids in the Garden

Galanthus elwesii

Snowdrops

Spring begins at the Arboretum, March 2018

SAVE the DATE

*April 18 - Friends of Jensen-Olson Arboretum Annual Meeting,

Valley Library, 5:30 - 7:00pm

May 4 - 6 American Primrose Society National Show, Centennial Hall

and other venues (see article in this issue)

*May 5 - A Day of Primula

*May 26 - Alaska Public Gardens Day

*June 9 - Children's Program: Garden Yoga and The Word Garden, 11:00 - Noon

All events at the Arboretum unless otherwise specified

Is it time to renew your Annual Membership?

Visit our website to renew today!

Arboretum Wish List

With this issue, we are adding a new section to the TWIGS newsletter...we are often asked about donation opportunities and if the Arboretum "needs anything to keep it running and looking so great"? Well, we are very thankful for the care and diligence of our seasonal staff in working to keep the Arboretum in its best condition, but there are a few items we can always use as part of the successful daily operations...thank you for asking and for considering a donation. We appreciate it!

Donations may be dropped off at the Arboretum with a staff member.

* Don Abel gift card (any amount) - where we purchase a specific type of compost

* Glacier Gardens gift card (any amount) - where we purchase some of our plant material

*1 box, 30-gallon plastic trash bags (non-scented)

* Rubber stamps with bug designs

Mission Statement

The vision of the Arboretum is to provide the people of Juneau a place that both teaches and inspires learning in horticulture, natural sciences and landscaping - to preserve the beauty of the landscape for pure aesthetic enjoyment - to maintain the historical and cultural context of the place and its people.

Caroline Jensen