Reiman Gardens Annual Report 2019

2019 ANNUAL REPORT

from the director This annual report marks five years as director of Reiman Gardens. I hope my tenure thus far has been positive. I lead a tremendous team that each year seems driven to achieve more. If you visited this year, growth and improvements were evident with new or rejuvenated garden spaces, heavily attended events, growing program offerings, increased ISU involvement, and expanded entomology exhibits.

We have been fortunate to have developed a traveling exhibit called Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks, which provided additional income. This was encouraged by Roy Reiman’s suggestion to explore entrepreneurial opportunities as well as his financial assistance. Revenue from Nature Connects has funded the RG Express Holiday Train, the Hillside Water-wise Garden and the development of a new holiday light show to launch in 2020.

Sycamore Falls and the Hillside Water-wise Garden are major improvements that would not be possible without contributors like the Class of 1955 for a portion of Hillside and Roy Reiman for half of Sycamore Falls. The scope of these projects is noticeable. I am often asked, “What will be the next big project?”

Large projects require generous donors; what comes next depends on donor interest.

Smaller improvements are an ongoing focus. Most are funded through annual budget, volunteer labor or donors. This year we resurfaced the Pattern Garden, rebuilt the Reflection Garden pergola, converted many gravel paths into concrete, and replaced wisteria support poles in the Jones Rose Garden. Next year we plan to add more concrete paths, rebuild structure and renew soils in the Hughes Conservatory, eliminate cattails in Lake Helen, and replace decaying wood at the main entrance.

Much of what we do and are able to accomplish comes from the generosity of others. Our members contribute funding through membership fees. Our donors give generously because they know what we offer has value. Some contribute to the general fund, others to specific projects like Carol Hawn’s donation to build the new g-scale Butterfly Wing structure for the holiday train show and John and Linda Schuh’s gift to repair and expand Elwood the gnome’s platform next spring.

Volunteers save us thousands in labor expense while contributing knowledge and experience. Carroll Marty is a great example. He rebuilt the Reflection Garden pergola and built a fence for the Hunziker House. Many companies assist by offering services in-kind, such as Percival Scientific who cleans and repairs our butterfly emergence chambers. We value partnering with organizations like Just Add Water and the Central Iowa Garden Railway Society who provide labor and expertise for our RG Express holiday train. These are just a few of the many examples of companies, organizations and individuals that help us reduce expenses.

In return, we contribute to Ames’ economy as a destination that adds incentive to stay multiple nights and spend money in town. Even more important is our contribution to quality of life. The Ames’ permanent population is only around 31,000; I challenge you to find other communities that size with a public garden of our caliber. Research shows that our connections to plants and nature are no longer luxuries; they are imperative to human health and wellbeing.

It is uplifting to list our achievements in my message, but I will let my team do that in the following pages.

My role as Director is to acknowledge those who help us reach our vision. We work toward lofty goals as a unified team. Our passion will drive the successes; your continued support gives us the means to do it.

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Ed Lyon, Reiman Gardens Director

contents 2 from the director

17 spirits in the gardens

4 by the numbers

18

holiday displays

6 director's notes

19

internship program

9 reiman gardens' staff

20 education

10 admissions; rentals

22 horticulture

11 membership

24 entomology

12 memorials

26 volunteers

13

28

director's circle

community outreach &

14 development; donors

communications

15 2019 theme & exhibit

16 events

29

gift shop & looking ahead

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1,000

Carved pumpkins for our Jack-o-Lantern Walk

3,090

membership households

1,322

Donated pounds of fresh produce to Plant a Row for the Hungry

Welcomed more than visitors to Pollinator Fest

1,000

332 total

private rentals Named “Best of Story County�

Wedding Venue for the th year in a row

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6,470

Welcomed guests for our Spirits in the Gardens event

71,602

people visited Reiman Gardens in

2019

12,493

followers on our Facebook page

4,226

Served participants in educational programs

Planted

60,000+ tulip bulbs for the

2020 display

17,930 service hours were contributed by Reiman Gardens’ volunteers

director's notes Big Things are Happening These are the “big� projects. They have been represented over the past five years by the Applied Imagination RG Express holiday train display (still one of only 18 in North America), the expansion of the tulip display to 60,000 bulbs, four continuous years of presenting nationally recognized traveling exhibits, and the Hillside Water-wise Garden and Sycamore Falls construction projects.

I introduced you to the Sycamore Falls project in the 2017 annual report. There has been a level of frustration seeing this one through because of delays to the completion date due to a number of reasons including weather and construction issues. My hope is it will open early to late summer 2020. Then excitement will finally replace frustration for this will truly be an iconic feature garden.

Taken in late 2019, this image does start to show some of the impressive features you can expect.

Staff tour the Sycamore Falls construction site

The Hillside Water-wise Garden was the first new garden constructed as the result of the 2015 master plan.

A portion was funded by the Class of 1955 and the rest through Nature Connects revenue. Unfortunately it did not escape construction woes, and after completion, two wall segments collapsed. We corrected the issues, and this magnificent terraced space became one of only a handful of a specialized method of sustainable gardening in the country. It was even featured in a display at the U.S. Botanic Garden this summer.

When I started as director, Manager of Horticulture Sarah Rummery told me she wanted to improve our spring bulb display, increasing the bulb numbers from 28,000 to 55,000. The next year we added more bulbs, and the impact was dramatic. Every year the visitation to see these massed displays has increased to the point where we now offer extended evening hours during their peak bloom.

The Hillside Water-wise Garden in full bloom

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Spring tulip display in the Campanile Garden

New cedar fencing

Carroll hard at work

Our volunteers generously contribute their valuable time, unique skills and vast knowledge of our community. Carroll Marty is a great example, rebuilding the Reflection Garden Pergola and building a new fence for the Hunziker House. During 2019 many

Rebuilt pavilion in the Reflection Garden

companies assisted by offering services in-kind such as Percival Scientific who cleans and repairs our butterfly emergence chambers every year at no charge. We value partnering with organizations such as Just Add Water and the Central Iowa Garden Railway Society who provide labor and expertise to our Reiman Gardens’ Holiday Express show. We recognize that volunteers provide a resource of talent that is unavailable otherwise.

The Gardens will be 25 years old in 2020, and that means decaying infrastructure. Last year we renovated the surface of the Children’s Garden; in 2019 it was the Pattern Garden’s turn. The bluestone paving had been heaving for many years, and poor drainage and soils made planting beds fail. The new look increased surfacing that will allow us to feature container plantings and adds usable space for small functions.

New paving in the Pattern Garden

We have far too many gravel paths, limiting mobility and creating restorative work after rains. When we decided to plan a major holiday light show for 2020, we acknowledged that would only work with improved pathways.

This year we converted many gravel paths to concrete in major areas around the Herb Garden, Jones Rose Garden and the north border. Next spring we tackle the paths that loop from the Trial Gardens in a circle back to the main building and along the east side of Lake Helen.

The Hillside Water-wise Garden and Sycamore Falls have been major projects that have required considerable funding and time commitments. People ask, “What’s next?” Any major project over the next couple of years will not be considered unless it is fully funded, so that will dictate the answer to what’s comes next. Meanwhile, there will always be ongoing projects; just because they are smaller doesn’t take away from their significance.

Americorps volunteers prep pathways

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Concrete pouring near the Herb Garden

A section of completed pathway

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director's notes Bus Trips I have around 20 years history setting up garden destination bus trips for organizations. When I started my role here, I decided to offer them to our membership. Reiman Gardens had already done several trips through a professional travel/tour company. The problem with these are that we cannot set up custom tours unless we guarantee we can fill it.

Two years ago, I found Country Travel Discoveries. The beauty of this company is they allow me to pick the garden destinations; then make the trip better by selecting the hotels, restaurants and adding additional fun “tourist� destinations. For example, on our Philadelphia trip, our final group dinner was held in an inn frequented

by John Adams with a meal authentic to that time and served in historic costume.

What makes these trips stand out? The fact I can focus the tour on garden-based destinations. My participation is in coordination and serving as tour leader. Even more, I have connections at most of the sites we visit. Where possible, we will talk to staff you would never see otherwise. I get us into facilities inaccessible to the public. In Michigan we went to wholesale growers and saw how plants are developed, trialed, propagated, marketed and dispersed nationally. There are always some opportunities to buy plants. I lead the tours so the tour leader is a horticultural expert. I also spend bus travel time answering questions and sharing knowledge. Finally, this group travels together sharing their own gardening experiences.

We have a blast! We invite you to join us for two destinations in 2020, the horticultural rich Chicagoland area in June and nursery intense Portland, OR area in September. Both trips are posted on reimangardens.com under Events and Programs. The brochures posted there are full of details of the destinations and why they are special.

new faces Kara Hetrick Joining the Gardens in 2019 as our new horticulturist is Kara Hetrick, a 2015 Iowa State University grad with a degree in Horticulture, emphasizing in Nursery Management and Perennial Production. Born in Arkansas and raised in Mississippi, Kara interned and then worked as an outdoor gardener at Reiman Gardens in 2012. She and her husband now live in Nevada with their three cats and two dogs.

Debbi Regennitter Debbi Regennitter may be a familiar face as she joined Reiman Gardens as an intern in 2016 then continued on as an indoor gardener. Now you will find her in her new role as Glasshouse Assistant. She grew up in Minnesota and moved to Iowa after graduating from Iowa State in 2003. In 2011 she went back to school for a horticulture degree which she earned seven years and two children later.

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staff Ed Lyon Director

Brenda Angell Custodial Manager

Nathan Brockman Curator, Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing

Katie Getting Grant, Sponsorship & Membership Coordinator

Kara Hetrick Horticulturist

Amy Huff Communications Specialist

Kris Johnston

Renee Rule

Joy Stroud

Private Events and Tour Coordinator

Events Manager

Administrative Specialist

Jessie Liebenguth

Sarah Rummery

Maria Teply

Glasshouse Horticulturist & Grower

Manager of Horticulture

Communications Coordinator

Sara Merritt

Marilyn Schnormeier

Jacqueline Venner-Senske

Education Manager

Gift Shop Manager

Education Specialist

Ed Moran

Lindsey Smith

Beth Wessel-Kroeschell

Senior Horticulturist

Collections Curator

Events Coordinator

Debbi Regennitter

Andrea Solomon

Anita Westphal

Glasshouse Assistant

Funds Development Manager

Butterfly Wing Assistant

Sharon Rink

Aaron Steil

Taylor Woodcock

Landscape Horticulturist

Assistant Director

Volunteer Coordinator

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admissions This year is showing once again that engaging, high quality exhibits along with amazing horticultural displays, fun events, and informative programs all bring people to Reiman Gardens. Next year we are doubling up on blockbuster exhibitions - Nature Connects - Art with LEGOÂŽ Bricks will make a final appearance at the Gardens in early summer followed by an enchanting exhibition of whimsical, larger-than-life frog sculptures called "Ribbit the Exhibit." These two exhibitions should help us continue to attract even more visitors to the Gardens.

$285,586

92,064

$254,561 $243,051 $242,126

$221,693

81,289

76,050

65,740

71,602

$169,033 44,550

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2014

2015

admissions income

2016

2017

2018

2019

attendance

rentals 2019 was another impressive year for rentals at Reiman Gardens. The Gardens once again proved to be a favorite place to tie the knot, as we were voted Ames Tribune's "Best of Story County Wedding Venue" for the fourth year in a row. In addition, we hosted a wide variety of university and business rentals, including ISU departments, corporations, government groups, charities, as well as many private renters holding graduations, birthday parties, and anniversaries. May 2019 saw the most rentals ever with fifty-four. New and renovated garden spaces will offer our renters even more choices in the coming year. To schedule a private event at the Gardens, contact Events Manager Renee Rule at 515-294-8994.

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weddings 10

$141,125

total revenue

332

total rentals

membership Membership saw an increase in both total households and revenue again this year for the fourth year in a row! As in years past, the Family level remains the most popular with the Duo and Family Plus levels not far behind. Additionally, member attendance at our three annual member-only events continues to increase, which we could not be more excited about.

Whether you are a brand new member this year, have been a member for ten years, or have been with us since the Gardens began in 1995, we thank you. We are continuously amazed at how generous and loyal our membership base is and look forward to serving them over the year ahead!

Member Only Event Attendance

269

442

357

Nature Game

of the

Orchid Fest Preview Party

Nature of the Game Preview Party

RG Express Preview Party

FY19 Information (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)

$252,077

3,090

Revenue

Membership Households

The Membership department looks forward to continuing to serve our vibrant and diverse member community in 2020!

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memorials In Honor of Jon and Nancy Applequist

In Honor of Nevin and Shirley Krentz

Nancy Applequist

Karen Linot

Reid and Carmencita Applequist Scott Applequist Jennifer Chittenden

In Memory of Norah Kinyon

Lennis and Karen Clement

Alan and Annette Frederick

In Memory of Brad Binder

In Memory of Mary E. Pasley

Dr. Sarah Binder

Harold and Joyce Nichol

In Memory of Doris Chapman

In Memory of Dr. Patricia Ann Pearson

Paula Chapman

Janet Alvestad

Jana Deakins

Richard Briscoe

Gerald and Sarah Heilskov

Mary Eileen Buck

Steve and Holly Martin

Heather Conroy

Luanna Mills

Robin and Janet Courtney

Connie Riley

M. Chris and Janet Durlam Shane and Jolene Goodman James and Cynthia Horn

In Honor of Kellen, Zane and Annalise Chester

Dennis and Joan Senne Cynthia Tanner

John Schuh

In Memory of Geraldine Peterson In Memory of Dorothy Ellerbach

Joylyn Cobb

Fenwich & West LLP

In Memory of Doris Weber In Memory of Olive Harrison

Lee and Kristen Wilkins

Paul and Joyce Heil

In Memory of Charles Haywood Joylyn Cobb

Honor the memory of a loved one when you make a memorial gift to Reiman Gardens. Donations of all sizes are appreciated. Unless otherwise designated, all gifts support the Gardens’ Fund for Excellence. For more information, please contact

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In Memory of Kent K. Kenyon

Andrea Solomon at asolomon@iastate.edu or 515-

Estate of Kent K. Kenyon

294-6356.

director’s circle The Director’s Circle recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more annually. Members of the Director’s Circle receive Patron level membership benefits, special communications from Director Ed Lyon, and invitations to exclusive events including an annual donor recognition dinner. Director’s Circle gifts help fund plantings and butterflies; educational programming; internships and capital improvements. Gifts to the Director’s circle count toward annual and lifetime recognition through Iowa State University’s Order of the Knoll.

Members of Reiman Gardens’ 2019 Director's Circle: Rick Bartosh

Jerry and Sally Jones

Dorothy and Robert Rust

Sarah Binder

Jane Lohnes

John and Linda Schuh

Deborah Dillon

Warren and Bev Madden

Tom and Linda Sharpnack

Don and Dee Draper

Carroll and Fidella Marty

Russell Snyder

Kate Gregory

Barbara and William Mengeling

Vaughn Speer

Ruth Harris

Dale and Lois Parker

Toni and David Wheelock

David and Carol Hawn

Stephen and Marty Penkhus

Elizabeth and Robert Wych

Jeff and Susie Hemphill

Max and Monica Porter

Don and Carolyn Zuck

David Hoffman

Bobbi and Roy Reiman

Al and Ann Jennings

Ruth Ann Robson

Please keep Reiman Gardens in mind when planning your estate and making your charitable contributions. To make a tax-deductible gift to Reiman Gardens, please visit www.reimangardens.com or send a check to: Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011. For more information about including Reiman Gardens in your will/estate plans, contact Andrea Solomon at 515-294-6356 or asolomon@iastate.edu

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development Thank you to all who made a donation above and beyond membership this past fiscal year! Because of generous people like you, the Gardens was able to fund:

• Year-round beautification of the Gardens • Butterfly chrysalides (approx. 800 species are featured with new ones purchased every week) • K-12 educational programming and adult education opportunities • Sustainability research and instruction while providing a living laboratory for Iowa State University students • Community events like Breakfast with Santa, Garden Art Fair, and Spirits in the Gardens • Top-notch annual exhibits like Nature of the Game and the RG Express Holiday Train Display • Day-to-day operations Since Reiman Gardens is a unit of Iowa State University, all private gifts are processed through the Iowa State University Foundation and are tax-deductible as allowable by law. Reiman Gardens is grateful for every dollar received from our generous donors.

donor spotlight Alliant Energy Foundation The Alliant Energy Foundation works to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. Their funds work to give everyone the opportunity to live a healthy, safe, and productive life. This past year, Alliant helped Reiman Gardens enrich the lives of people in our community by supporting two separate projects. Students who participate in the newly revamped school programs now have a giant, interactive 3D model of a flower to use for educational programs. Additionally, Alliant funded the purchase of supplies to create new moveable insect cages that house the ever diversifying collection of live insects at Reiman Gardens. This included five glass aquariums, wooden base, digital signage displays, materials to build invertebrate environments, and actual invertebrates/insects to populate the exhibit. The Alliant Energy Foundation has made it possible for visitors to Reiman Gardens to learn and enjoy even more about the insect and invertebrate world!

Carol & David Hawn A scaled version of the Reiman Gardens Butterfly Wing made its debut at the 2019 RG Express train display.

This latest addition to our custom-built garden-scale train display was made possible thanks to a generous gift from Carol and David Hawn.

“While visiting the U.S. Botanic Gardens and its annual holiday train display, my husband David and I were amazed by the sheer joy and excitement of the children and families also attending the exhibit. We hope the children and families visiting Reiman Gardens are similarly excited and amazed by the RG Express. The display is an introduction not only to the Gardens and its many offerings but to Iowa State University as well. We appreciate the opportunity to support the RG Express and look forward to the exhibit’s continued growth.” – Carol Hawn

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2019 theme & exhibit This year Reiman Gardens explored the theme of toys and games with horticultural displays, educational programs, events and a major new exhibit all focusing on fun. For the first time, the public was introduced to Nature of the Game, a collection of larger-than-life outdoor games that allowed visitors to celebrate ecology through play. Created by Reiman Gardens in collaboration with Iowa State University Design faculty and students, this series put an ecological and artistic spin on familiar favorites. From oversized tile puzzles to gorgeous hidden picture sculptures to giant food web chess and more, our guests had a blast playing these games that demonstrate the balance, beauty, and connectedness of nature.

TESTING 10 DEGREE TILT‌

WORKS!

ISU Department of Architecture assistant professor Reinaldo Correa is a practicing public artist who was the project leader for Nature of the Game.

As a teacher and practitioner, his focus is on empowering both his students and team members in the fundamental principles of art and design and the ability to translate ideas into public engaging exhibits, installations, and projects through the design-build process. For Nature of the Game, Reinaldo worked closely with Reiman Gardens and the Iowa State University College of Design’s Institute for Design Research and Outreach. He put

together an interdisciplinary team comprising architecture, industrial design, mechanical engineering and structural engineering students. Together with Reiman Gardens entomology, horticulture, graphic design, and education staff, they realized the vision of creating an interactive exhibition to encompass ideas of nature, learning and play.

Nature of the Game is now being leased to other public gardens so that visitors across the United States can share in the fun and learn its important message.

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events In 2019, Reiman Gardens hosted more than 30 public events that ranged from family focused activities such as Spirits in the Gardens and Breakfast with Santa to four After Hours events for adults to special interest events such as Day of Insects, Orchid Fest, and Bonsai Show.

2019 events started with Silver Screen Saturdays. For all four Saturdays in January, we offered children’s movies for families needing a fun activity out of the cold weather. In April, we offered a Breakfast with the Bunny and egg hunt. Children and their families enjoyed a buffet breakfast, live bunnies, crafts and an opportunity to interact with the Spring Bunny.

Spirits in the Gardens is our popular fall festival for families (see story opposite page). With record attendance, children and families enjoyed trick or treating, crafts, owls and raptors from the ISU Wildlife Clinic, and other fun activities. Robert Thomas Dancers taught our guests to dance to Thriller and magician Christian Manahl wowed the guests with magic. When the sun went down, guests were thrilled by more than 1,000 lit jack-o-lanterns.

In December, Breakfast with Santa included a buffet breakfast with a visit from Santa to a nearly sold out crowd.

Children enjoyed creating an ornament, storytelling and an opportunity to ask Santa for some special treats.

The Gardens also hosted numerous shows for special interest plant enthusiasts including Orchid Fest, Lily Show and Bonsai Show. The displays at these events are awe-inspiring.

In July, the Gardens hosted the 16th Annual Garden Art Fair. Our visitors browsed and bought garden inspired art pieces including glass, watercolor, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, woodwork, photography, and fabric arts. At Reiman Gardens’ 9th annual Quilt Show we displayed more than 100 garden inspired quilts. Over the three-day event, guests enjoyed intricate and beautiful quilts on display and voted for their favorites.

After Hours is our adults only event hosted four times each year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Gardens with good food and live music in the early evening hours. This event is growing as more visitors realize how beautiful the Gardens are in the evening. Reiman Gardens continues to develop public events to appeal to a wide variety of audiences.

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spirits in the gardens With the help of a tireless staff and hundreds of volunteers, we carved a new record of more than 1,000 pumpkins to display during our annual Spirits in the Gardens and Jack-O-Lantern Walk. When the sun went down, the unique and incredible views were a delight to visitors young and old, helping to push attendance at this event to an all-time high.

Throughout the week, Iowa State students and community members came for a wide variety of reasons to help carve pumpkins. Dedicated volunteer Kathleen Buchholz worked year round organizing stencils into categories and working with a vast number of volunteers to cut stencils before we even began work in October.

We displayed the finished jack-o-lanterns on hay bales around Lake Helen, in the South Field, on the benches in the Bald Cyprus Allee, on the walls in the Hillside Garden, in the amphitheater and around the Catalpas in the Dunlap Courtyard.

Guests were amazed by the intricate jack-o-lanterns of many social and cultural icons including Winnie the Pooh, Tinkerbell, Robin Williams, Tim Burton, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Game of Thrones, super heroes, and traditional Halloween patterns of witches, bats and ghouls.

Professional pumpkin carvers, Suzy and Michael Rickels carved four intricate shaded jack-o-lanterns and also shared their amazing foam carved pumpkins (known as funkins), which were displayed in the Speer Room.

Visitors from the Ames community and far away, most dressed in costumes, came for the pumpkins, trick-ortreating, activities and fun. This year we added a professional magician, a local dance troupe teaching the “Thriller” dance, and performances by the ISU Juggling and Unicycle Club, as well as the ISU Cosplay Club.

The excitement around this event grows each year. Building on previous year’s success, attendance at Spirits in the Gardens has grown each year: 2016 - 2,538, 2017 - 3,718, 2018 - 4,762, and 2019 - 6,470. We are already hard at work on planning for even more visitors next year, which includes working to minimize any problems with traffic or wait times as this event continues to grow in popularity.

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rg express train display The popular RG Express rolled into the Gardens' Hughes Conservatory again from November 23 through January 4.

Visitors young and old were enchanted by the custombuilt garden-scale train display. This year, we debuted a brand new building, an intricately detailed version of our very own Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. Visitors walked past, around, and under miniature buildings and bridges historically significant to Iowa State University and Ames' local history. The display was built by Applied Imagination, an internationally recognized company whose amazing displays unite botanical design and architecture.

holiday lights Again this year, the Gardens expanded our outdoor light display, giving visitors a small taste of what they will experience at our exciting new holiday light show event debuting in 2020. Horticulture staff worked hard to craft this beautiful display that captivated visitors with the magic of the season. Extended hours on Thursday nights, along with half-price admission, allowed even more people the opportunity to view the stunning lights and visit the RG Express train display. In 2020 we will launch a major walk-through light show running the entire length of the Gardens. The goal is to offer our largest public event yet and generate necessary revenue.

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internship program The Gardens has hired 140 interns since 1995. These college students gain relevant experience and knowledge as they work alongside full-time staff over the summer months.

This year a diverse group of students from Iowa State University represented majors ranging from education and horticulture to events management, animal ecology, and marketing.

These students participated in various projects, went on field trips to places like Des Moines and Omaha, and took part in educational sessions with staff and other professionals providing experience and knowledge of what it means to work at a public garden.

Additionally, this group representing various backgrounds working in many different areas of the Gardens teamed together to present their experiences to the public.

To see more about all the great things these students accomplished, check out their blogs on the Reiman Gardens' website at www.reimangardens.com/intern-blog/

name

internship area

major

Katie Dukes Special Events

Event Management & Business Management

Kennedy Hill

Garden & Landscape Maintenance

Horticulture

Ellen Loyd

Education

Biology

Sammie Lyle

Plant Collections & Records

Horticulture

Katie Mechelke

Garden & Landscape Maintenance

Horticulture

Molly Osweiler

Volunteers

Marketing & Management

Natasha Reed

Education

Animal Ecology

Faith Riedell Entomology

Animal Science & Animal Ecology

Cassie Rosane

Glasshouse Display & Greenhouse Production

Horticulture

Sadie Thiele

Private Events

Event Management

Simi Toluwalase

Retail Management

Apparel Merchandising

education The Education department is making some changes!

In 2019 we rolled out new guided school programs linked directly to Reiman Gardens’ plant and insect collections. Six updated enrichment experiences now offer hands-on learning and sensory exploration for pre-K through 6th grade while also addressing Next Generation Science Standards. Special thanks go out to our volunteer Tour Docents for their gumption, flexibility, and priceless input throughout our first season and beyond!

We are also taking a closer look at data to evaluate offerings. This year we relied on a remarkable team of volunteer educators to plan and implement youth story programs focusing on nature interaction, and as a direct result Caterpillar Club has become our most highly attended value-added program, serving over 400 participants in 2019. Based on attendance, we are also expanding adult continuing education programs presented by Reiman Gardens’ staff. Additionally, members can expect a survey to go out in 2020 seeking more input on attendee motivations and interest to help us plan other exceptional classes, workshops, and lectures!

Youth & Family Education Our 2019 interns, Ellen and Natassja, led three outstanding youth Summer Camps that filled up fast – exploring insects, celebrating International Mud Day, and playing outdoors at the Gardens. Back-to-School Water Day brought in more than 600 people to play on our giant slippery slide, and to engage in water science activities, pond investigation, and more. Our most successful Homeschool Day focused on all things Insects, offering families the opportunity to learn about and interact with our ever-expanding invertebrate collection!

Dozens of kids participated in the new Junior Master Gardener Program with our friends from 4-H, and hundreds returned for our own youth horticulture program, Plant Pals. We hope to continue partnering to provide high-quality, nature-based programs like these.

Education Snapshot: 2019 by the Numbers • • • • • • •

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Unique programs offered: 208 Program attendees served: 4,226 Program revenue: $15,309 Tours & School Programs provided: 161 Tour participants served: 4,952 Tour revenue: $30.010 Total revenue: $45,319

Adult Education Here’s what we learned this year: if it involves socializing (alcohol optional), art and writing, new garden areas and exhibits, Halloween (or other holiday themes), it will be successful! Our fantastic staff are experts in their fields, and always have much to share. Our most popular programs in 2019 included:

• Over a dozen B.Y.O.B. Crafty Cocktail Nights and Botanicals and Booze led by various staff • Orchid Workshop: Beyond the Basics with Jacqueline Venner Senske and Aaron Steil • H  ome Gardening topics with various horticulture staff and guest speakers • V  egetable Gardening with Sharon Rink • M  onthly Plant Walks with Lindsey Smith • Behind the Scenes of our interactive summer exhibit, Nature of the Game with Sara Merritt, and a walkthrough the new Dee Ann Drew Shade Garden with Ed Lyon

• • • •

The last of treasured instructor Mark Stoltenberg’s Photography series Various Watercolor classes with Creative Department instructor and artist Yvonne Brune C  reating a Wild Friendly Garden without the Wild Look with Ed Lyon Aaron Steil’s Wreath Making Workshops

Nature of the Game Each year’s outdoor exhibit, juxtaposed among innovative horticultural displays, allows us to extend lessons of conservation, stewardship, and the power of plants through the language of the arts. This year Reiman Gardens’ education staff worked closely with ISU faculty artist Reinaldo Correa and his team of interdisciplinary students to ensure that each toy/game in this one-of-a-kind traveling exhibit delivered an ecological message. From Food Web Chess to Photosynthesize, and each piece in between, education staff was tasked with aligning game play to dimensions of ecology through written interpretation and pictograms for signage, applicable to any U.S. region. This was a challenging but rewarding undertaking! Supplementing the exhibit, visitors could also pick up a “scorecard” at the front desk as an incentive to find and play each game for a chance to “win” a family membership.

Science Communication In our 6th year offering our Science Communication Fellowship, we trained another 13 ISU students, researchers, and faculty in informal education and science communication. Our Meet-A-Scientist events once again engaged thousands of visitors of all ages in hands-on science, and our Education staff are now continually asked to present science communication training to ISU student science organizations and other informal education institutions across the nation.

Reiman Gardens also had the opportunity to host Iowa’s first public showing of the award-winning documentary film, Seeds: The Diversity of Wonder, created by the ISU Seed Science Center. The six-part series was developed to engage and inspire youth, the public, and policy makers on the beauty and value of seeds to society by taking viewers on a journey around the world to discover the grand collaboration between nature and humanity to feed, clothe, and beautify the world.

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horticulture Amidst the spring-thaw flooded landscapes of Iowa, Reiman Gardens’ 55,000 tulips bloomed right on cue. The continued chilly, yet pleasant, weather helped extend their peak display well into May. That’s when the rain started and didn’t let up, delaying much of spring bedding annual planting until after Memorial Day. Iowa recorded its 6th wettest May in 147 years of statewide weather records. Despite the challenges, the horticulture staff, volunteers, and student gardeners forged on, planting nearly 16,700 annuals, representing 482 unique cultivars or species, in the outside gardens. As part of the Gardens’ 2019 theme, Toys and Games, Lite-Brite, Fruit Ninja, balls, and sensory toys were a few of the inspirations for the annual bedding displays. Two hundred fifty-four accessions, unique record identifiers assigned to plant specimens or groups, were added in 2019.

Plant-a-Row-for-the-Hungry 2019 marked the 15th anniversary of Reiman Gardens’ founding partnership with the Story County chapter of Planta-Row-for-the-Hungry. Contributions from the Gardens’ Home Production Garden and Trial Garden yielded 1,592 pounds of fresh produce, representing about 22% of PAR’s total produce distribution, an increase of about 250 pounds from the previous year. Unfortunately, with the decline of the North Grand Farmer’s Market, PAR’s total produce distribution was down nearly 2,000 pounds.

Plant Sale Extravaganza The 2019 Plant Sale Extravaganza was (again!) the best sale yet! Despite the weather being a bit chilly and drizzling rain one day, the sale saw a 10% increase in gross profits, over 100 additional shoppers, and more than 1,000 additional plants sold, as compared to 2018! Reiman Gardens, Story County Master Gardeners, ISU Horticulture Club, ISU Graduate Society of Horticulture Students, and ISU Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology Graduate Students partnered and contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to make the event a success! Revenue from the sale directly benefits the student groups’ ability to participate in national organizations and travel, Master Gardener’s support of continuing education and scholarship, as well as the Gardens’ horticulture and garden renovation efforts.

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Conservatory Displays The horticulture staff, volunteers, and gardeners presented four beautiful displays this year in the Hughes Conservatory, all tied to our Toys and Games theme year. “A Magic Circle” inspired by a magician’s hat and hoops showcased beautiful orchids in large circular planters that “magically” transformed into spring flowering bulbs – and our first indoor bulb display in more than six years. Over the summer, “Where’s Aldo,” encouraged visitors into a playful hide-and-seek of important ecologists amidst a colorful backdrop of red-and-white stripes and plants. The fall Conservatory display “Game Time” featured a 10-foot floral clock and bright cardinal-and-gold chrysanthemums in “bleachers” – all counting down until game time! Finally, the RG Express garden railroad chugged into town for its fifth annual appearance. The railroad display was recreated with the help and support of the Central Iowa Garden Railroad Society and Just Add Water.

Garden Renovations Hardscape renovations continued, again, this year, advancing our strategic goal to upgrade aging features.

Horticulture staff and volunteers lead the way on the following garden improvements: replacement wooden “flag” garden markers, refurbished metal and limestone garden markers, replacement pergola and decking in the Reflection Garden, replacement Front Yard Garden fence, new utility screening and trellises in the Sunny Side Garden, re-staining the potting shed at Home Production Garden, and new replacement obelisk posts in the Jones Rose Garden. Special thanks to Carroll Marty who single-handedly deconstructed then rebuilt the Reflection Garden features. Another significant garden upgrade was the paving of nearly 1/3 of a mile of new concrete sidewalks. With the help from AmeriCorps NCCC’s Oak 3 team, nearly 9,000 square feet of gravel paths were demolished in the northern gardens, preparing the way for a contractor to install concrete sidewalks! We are confident these new walks will improve the visitor experience, increased garden safety and accessibility, and reduce on-going maintenance and labor costs.

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entomology New Invertebrate Displays & Alliant Energy Grant Thanks to support from an Alliant Energy grant, butterflies are no longer the only insects regularly on display at Reiman Gardens. The grant made it possible for our Entomology staff to have a space to exhibit other insects/invertebrates in the lobby directly in front of the Emergence Windows. The new display features custom built USDA containment tanks which can be interchanged depending on the needs of the different insects exhibited. To deliver the interpretation elements for the insects on exhibit, the display utilizes four digital screens which allow for quick and efficient transition of dynamic content between species.

The grant also aided in the Entomology staff’s ability to acquire new invertebrates which are currently on display. Animals that you can look forward to seeing as part of the new display include; beetles, walking sticks, cockroaches, millipedes, tarantulas, vinegaroons, an assortment of aquatic insects and more. While large and showy tropical invertebrates are the primary focus of the display, native insects will make an appearance from time to time as well. This new display will allow the Entomology staff to share with visitors to the Gardens more amazing insects/invertebrates from around the world, in addition to the butterflies and moths already found in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing.

Emergence Study Report The Reiman Gardens Entomology staff has been keeping records of emergence success and failure of the butterfly and moth pupae we have brought in since the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing opened back in November of 2002. This data is submitted to the USDA annually and analyzed in-house to make changes to help emergence rates at Reiman Gardens. In 2014, the Gardens' Entomology staff started reaching out to peer organizations around the world in an effort to conduct a global pupae emergence study. Twenty six facilities participated in the initial study and a paper was presented in an international industry publication this year covering analysis of the 2014 – 2016 data. New facilities continue to sign on to the project. This is a long-term project which could have a significant impact on butterfly exhibits as well as butterfly conservation projects.

Day of Insects This year was the 11th annual Day of Insects at Reiman Gardens. This two-day symposium is filled with workshops and presentations from professionals, academics, advocates and enthusiasts. Our event continues to grow in size and popularity each year. We had 167 participants from across the state of Iowa and six other states attend Day of Insects in 2019. New at the 11th annual DOI, an annual award was established. The “Inspiring Insect Enthusiast Award” is presented to an individual who goes above and beyond to further the appreciation and interest in insects and their conservation. The inaugural award was presented to Jim Durbin.

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Pollinator Fest Pollinator Fest is an event that focuses on educating the public on the importance of conserving the populations of our native pollinators. Through a variety of hands-on activities from several collaborators, visitors learn about species diversity and behaviors of pollinators, insect/plant interactions, the direct role they play in the pollination of our fruit and vegetable crops, and how humans can help to ensure the health of our environment so it supports all species of insects. This annual event was started in 2015 and attracted 358 visitors. This event now attracts over 1,000 participants. Pollinator Fest also covers the requirements for the BSA scouts to earn their Insect Study Badge and the Girl Scouts to earn their Bug Badge as part of attending the event.

Conference Presentations The Entomology Department at Reiman Gardens strives to constantly find new ways to improve our exhibits and the health of our invertebrate colonies. This is achieved through our own research projects and through professional networking at the conferences that we attend. This year we did a poster talk and a presentation at the Invertebrates in Education and Conservation conference in Tucson, AZ in July. We also presented at the International Association of Butterfly Exhibitors and Suppliers conference in Orlando, FL in November.

Iowa Butterfly Survey Network The Iowa Butterfly Survey Network is a citizen science program, managed by Reiman Gardens’ entomology staff, that annually tracks butterfly populations across Iowa. This summer marked the 14th year of the Iowa Butterfly Survey Network and our volunteers surveyed butterfly populations on 60 sites throughout the state. For the 2019 survey season our volunteers conducted 608 surveys and spent 695.7 hours in the field. There were 62 of the 120 species native to the state recorded and 50,573 individual butterflies counted. Some of the species seen in larger numbers this year were the painted lady, dainty sulphur, little yellow and common buckeye.

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volunteers This year marked an exceptional year of volunteerism with Reiman Gardens. We had another record year of volunteer participation with 17,930 hours contributed by over 2,000 volunteers. Volunteers supported all of our departments, including education, events, entomology, horticulture, membership, administration, and our volunteer program. Volunteers contribute their unique talents, skills, and knowledge of our community to provide personalized attention, to enable the paid staff to concentrate on the work for which they were trained, and to educate the public about our organization and its cause. Volunteer hours are valued at $419,741 of contributions in kind and are equivalent to 8.62 full-time employees.

Service Enterprise This past June, Reiman Gardens was officially certified as a Service Enterprise.

The Service Enterprise Initiative is a national change management program, led by Points of Light, that helps organizations better meet their missions through the power of volunteers. Through a comprehensive assessment, training, coaching and certification model, Reiman Gardens will be equipped to engage and manage volunteers more effectively to meet community needs.

Research shows that nonprofits that operate as Service Enterprises are equally as effective as their peers but at almost half the median budget, and are significantly more adaptable, sustainable and capable of going to scale.

Achieving Service Enterprise certification is a very prestigious accomplishment for Reiman Gardens. In fact, organizations that certify join the top 11 percent of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer management and organizational performance. Service Enterprise certification signifies that organizations have the capability and management expertise to strategically engage volunteers to improve the performance of their organization.

Reiman Gardens will maintain this certification for three years at which point re-certification will occur.

Americorps AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) once again partnered with Reiman Gardens to update and enhance multiple garden spaces and visitor areas this past summer.

Volunteers updated drainage systems around the Mahlstede building, built new fencing around Hunziker House, demolished old gravel pathways for new paved pathways, built structures for the fall Hughes Conservatory display, and assisted staff and other volunteers during Water Day.

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This past spring, our very own Carroll Marty was inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame. Inducted with four other Iowans, Carroll was presented with the honor by Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg at the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines. Being selected for the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame is the most prestigious state-level honor volunteers can receive as recognition of extraordinary donations of volunteer service to their communities. Carroll's name is now engraved on the Volunteer Hall of Fame plaque and will be permanently displayed in the State Historical Museum. Since the award's inception in 1989, over 170 Iowans have been honored.

The 2019 Volunteer Impact Report will be available on our website beginning February 2020.

Reiman Gardens' staff recognize the great importance of volunteers and the great value they provide to our communities. In 2018, Reiman Gardens' staff adopted a stretch of Highway 30, from mile marker 152-150, at the US 30/I-35 junction. Staff will take care of this stretch of highway for at least two years and have plans to remove litter and plant or maintain the trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and native grasses.

Reiman Gardens' office staff also participated in the Give Back Iowa Challenge, a program through Volunteer Iowa designed to engage Iowans in employer supported volunteering. From April 1-May 30, staff donated over 225 hours to various community projects, a 26% increase from the previous year.

Staff are involved with numerous community partnerships and collaborations, including with multiple ISU classes and student organizations, several county Master Gardener programs, as well as various local, state, and national horticulture, gardening, education, entomology, membership, and volunteer associations.

Reiman Gardens' staff members also gave of their time individually in 2019. Taylor Woodcock served on the board for the Volunteer Managers of Central Iowa. She is also part of a working group for the National Alliance for Volunteer Engagement.

Joy Stroud is a board member and treasurer for the Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS) and serves on ISU's Mental Health Task Force. Katie Getting serves as president of the Friends of the West Des Moines Library Board.

Nathan Brockman is a scout leader for a local BSA scout troop as well as a youth soccer coach and assistant cub scout pack leader. Sarah Rummery completed her fourth year as treasurer of the Adventures Preschool board this year and volunteered with Rummage Rampage. Amy Huff volunteers with Ames Police Foundation's Shop with a Cop and the Ames High Drill Team. Ed Moran recently completed eight years on the Ames Parks and Rec Commission, serving as both the chairperson and vice chairperson during that time. Sharon Rink volunteers with the Friends of Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center and serves on their subcommittee for donations. Marilyn Schnormeier volunteers with Altrusa and was the chair for the 2019 Holiday Home Tour. Thank you to everyone for all that you do!

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community outreach Reiman Gardens' Outreach Committee has been identifying various opportunities to reach new, existing, and underserved audiences in and around central Iowa. We hope to connect better with our communities and to bring our mission out to a larger audience.

Staff and volunteers brought a little bit of the Gardens to the Ames community during monthly visits to the Ames Farmers' Market and during July's Iowa Games Athlete Jamboree where we highlighted our Toys & Games theme.

We also participated in this fall's Destination Iowa State-ExCytment Picnic and ISU WelcomeFest. Both events exposed thousands of incoming and current ISU students to the Gardens and all of the resources available to them. We also shared our mission and resources with greater central Iowa at the annual Iowa Flower, Lawn and Garden Show at the State Fairgrounds.

communications Reiman Gardens Communications department continues to look for innovative and cost effective ways to promote all of the amazing things happening at the Gardens throughout the year. One way we have accomplished this is through increased use of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. During 2019, we have seen a positive increase overall including items like the number of email subscribers, published news stories, social media follower counts, as well as the number of social media posts. We are hopeful and excited to continue with this growth and reach an even wider audience in 2020.

Email Subscriber Counts

News Stories and Media Mentions

• December 2018: 7,118 subscribers

• 2017: 23 stories

• December 2019: 7,787 subscribers

• 2018: 58 stories • 2019: 59 stories

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Social Media Follower Counts

Social Media Number of Posts

• Facebook

• Facebook

December 2018: 8,622 followers

2018: 284 posts

December 2019: 12,493 followers

2019: 505 posts

• Twitter

• Twitter

December 2018: 1,628 followers

2018: 247 posts

December 2019: 1,726 followers

2019: 399 posts

• Instagram

• Instagram

December 2018: 1,054 followers

2018: 226 posts

December 2019: 1,427 followers

2019: 317 posts

gift shop Reiman Gardens' Gift Shop strives to give our guests yet another dimension to their visit by offering a wide and varied selection of merchandise while supporting our overall mission. Items are procured from a wide field of sources, ranging from localized artisans and authors to large home decor and apparel markets. Much of the assortment in the Gift Shop compliments our special events and current exhibits at the Gardens.

This past year, the Gift Shop served as home base for internships to two Iowa State students. Both students had focus projects during their time in the Gift Shop that not only gave them each hands on training for their field of study by developing and expanding categories of product, but allowed the Gift Shop to benefit from their efforts. The products they introduced enhanced our children’s book selection and our Reiman Gardens’ logo items offered for sale.

The Gift Shop utilized social media more frequently to bring attention to our business. We joined the Museum Store Association and participated in their first ever national event – Museum Store Sunday, held in December with much success. Patrons made 16,668 transactions over the year, resulting in gross sales of $300,039.91.

We are excited to see continual growth in our dollar per transaction ratio, all of which benefit Reiman Gardens.

looking ahead With back-to-back exhibits, a significant new garden space, and a big anniversary, 2020 is going to be wild at Reiman Gardens! Join us in celebrating all things wild and whimsical, from fairy magic in the Conservatory to riotous tulips everywhere, from gardens full of wild creatures and fanciful frogs to winter nights with festive trains and fantastical lights, there will be much to explore in every season.

Beginning May 16, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks returns to Reiman Gardens with all new larger-than-life sculptures celebrating wild species that are threatened, endangered, and even extinct.

From July 8 to October 4, Reiman Gardens will feature Ribbit the Exhibit, a captivating collection of human-scale frog sculptures crafted out of copper by artist J.A. Cobb.

During 2020 we will also be marking our 25th anniversary with a variety of exciting displays and activities, including a gallery of past Reiman Gardens photos in our Garden Room, an anniversary celebration and even a Guinness Book World Record attempt inspired by our very own Elwood the Gnome. Join us in 2020 for a year that is sure to be wild and whimsical!

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1407 UNIVERSITY BLVD AMES, IA 50011 EMAIL: reimangardens@iastate.edu PHONE: 515.294.2710 WEBSITE: www.reimangardens.com

“Educate, enchant and inspire an appreciation of plants, butterflies and the beauty of the natural world” Reiman Gardens’ mission