R E S ILI ENCY
2020 IMPACT REPORT SLOBG.ORG
Letter from Executive Director Dear SLOBG Family, This impact report shares our financial and logged numbers for the year and offers a sampling of testimonials of the communities touched by the Garden. We also take the opportunity to celebrate our progress and thank our supporters. They help us continue to deliver the many ways SLOBG connects you to nature. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the SLOBG continues to fulfill its mission to honor and preserve connections with nature. The Garden has renewed agreements to secure the 150 acres of its current location until 2120! We are venturing across the creek to allow public access to the rest of the 150 acres for the first time ever! With your input, the SLOBG Team is fleshing out the details of our long term strategic plan with updates to the old Master Plan and applications to fund the new road, bridge, and infrastructure to support a new visitor center. Our projects list for this year include major improvements to the Children's Garden, finishing the Education Center, and public access to more of the 150 acres of garden property. We added 2 more acres of native “Weaving Restoration” plantings and have designs for almost 3 miles of new trails with 5 new shelters offering you more ways to connect with nature. We have plans for signature gardens with viewing shelters to provide shade, education material, and a rain collection system to sustain the new ecosystems the new landscapes will create. We are making major progress toward fulfilling the vision of the Master Plan. Will you join us? We are living in unprecedented times and the need for a botanical garden like ours is even greater than ever. Even though COVID measures continue to affect our functions, the garden continues to grow and prosper. A dedicated group of volunteers and staff work diligently to maintain the gardens and make progress on many improvement projects to make SLOBG even better for your next visit. Come often to check out our daily progress! The Garden relies on donors like you to operate and grow. Our staff and programs need your gifts to continue the progress. Please give generously and often. We need your support. With gratitude,
Chenda Lor
The 2020
Board of
Directors Eva Vigil, President Founder of Friends of San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden; Past President
Ke-Ping Tsao, M.D., Vice President Past President; Retired Physician
Brandon Schmiedeberg, Secretary Project Manager Landscape Development, Inc.
Pat Connelly, Treasurer Owner of St. Francis Landscaping, Inc. CLCA Board member, SLO Rotary, PAPA, Nativity of Our Lady Advisory Council, Restorative Partners Volunteer
Tamara Blett - Member Retired Ecologist, National Park Service USDA Forest Service, Air Resource Specialist
Gaby Levine - Emeritus Member Past President; Retired Veterinarian
Lief McKay, ASLA, LEED-AP Principal - Member RRM Design Group
Camille Schwaegerle - Member Keller Williams Realty Central Coast Real Estate Agend/Investor
Nisha AbdulCader, M.D., F.A.A.P. Member Suspected Abuse Response Team, Martha’s Place Children’s Assessment Center, and Juvenile Services Center Pediatric Doctor and Medical Director
Anne Byerly - Member Edward Jones - Financial Advisor
2020
Staff Chenda Lor
Executive Director
Lindsey Morgan Brand Director
Heather Billing
Development Director
Anika Clements Programs Director
Emma Pirtle
Facilities Rental Coordinator and Admin Intern
Charissa Wright
Executive Administrative Assistant
Anne Stevens
Americorps VIP - Cal Poly Corporation
Financials SLOBG Income 2020 3%
4%
12% 8%
2%
71%
Educa�onal Programs $27,987
Membership Dues $17,048
Government Grant $4,000
Individual Dona�ons $164,670
Rentals $7,355
Gi� Shop and Plant Sales $9,892
SLOBG Expenses 27% 49%
24%
Program Services $172,926
Fundraising Expenses $97,361
Adminstra�on $86,693
Programs
2020 A c c o m p l i s h m e n t s Published and distributed 2019 Impact Report SLOBG hosted Green Force conference with Bioneers, Sierra Club, and Ecologistics The Board participated in a full day annual strategic planning board retreat Operating Agreement approved by County Board of Supervisors Panorama trail design
Participants 1000
750
500
250
0
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Started Marketing, Development, Finance, Governance, Planning, and Education & Research new executive board committees Added Science, Gift Shop, Events, Facilities Maintenance, and Trails operating committees National Public Garden Week pledge week COVID closure for 6 weeks, but volunteers still maintained the grounds Secured over $180K in PPP and EIDL loans Received grants for fencing and rainwater projects Installed 2,300 LF of fencing along Dairy Creek Road Education Center Sitework plans submitted for permits
2020
Adult Programs
Full Moon Ceremonies • Native Plant Propagation • Meditation • Mushroom Discovery Workshops • GreenForce Conference • Macrame • Virtual Plant Sale • Bird Walk • Raptors/Owls • Monthly Founder Walks • Monarch Butterflies • Grow the Garden Fundraiser • • Weekly Acorn Explorations
Kiosks and Trails plans development Trail improvements eliminated 2 steps in Fire Safe Garden Children’s Garden improvements Moved plant sale area to the building 2 virtual plant sales replaced in-person Spring + Fall sales Extended gift shop hours all week long Art in the Garden - consignments Yarn bomb installation Developed drafts of Strategic Planning document, project process flow chart, revised Corporate Structure Volunteer Manual created Approved revised 2020 Employee Manual Launched volunteer hours log ap developed by Hack4Impact 519 volunteers logged 8,935 hours 2 new board members: Nisha Abdul-Cader and Anne Byerly 2 new staff: Anika Clements and Charissa Wright County Planning and Building Pre-application meeting for Master Plan Development Take Away Dinner Fundraiser for 182 in the Fall New entrance, interpretation and accessioning signs Fee-based admissions strategies for 2021 Pickets for Programs public art project and fundraiser
101 Adults and 2 Youths took docent tours. 593 Adults participated in virtual, hybrid, and in person programs.
Conservation - Propagation Total number of live accessions in database:
1799
Total number of new accessions in 2020:
38
Total number of plants planted in 2020:
74
How many oak trees alive:
91
How many families of plants:
137
LIBRARY The library serves as a valuable resource that supports the work of garden volunteers in many areas including plant identification and propagation, garden design, and adult and children’s programs. The focus of the library collection is on the flora of California and the four other Mediterranean regions of the world (southwest areas of Australia and South Africa, Chile and the Mediterranean area itself.) In addition, the collection includes educational materials for teachers, parents and grandparents to use with children.
Trained Librarians assist with research The library is open for anyone to use on-site, and a trained librarian is available to assist with on-site and online research on Tuesday mornings. Additional times for research with a trained librarian can also be arranged. Though this service was not available for many months due to Covid restrictions, it will once again be provided in 2021.
30 books added to collection The library continues to build its small, but very specialized collection. In 2020, over 30 books were added to the collection. Thanks to a generous donation by Peggy Mandeville (of books from the Shirley Meniece estate), we now have a collection of over 1,000 books.
6 Resource Guides The library has developed a number of resource guides (bibliographies on specific subjects) to make it easier for users to locate materials. During 2020, several of these were updated, and new ones were written. Printed copies of these are available for anyone to take.
Volunteers
Active logging: New volunteers:
2014 93 50
2018 89 43
2019 145 115
2020 116 403
Even though COVID Restrictions reduced our volunteer participation of many of our elderly and sensitive members, we attracted many new volunteers.
Our Volunteer AWARDS
Interested in Volunteering? Just click on the QR code to find out more Or visit slobg.org/volunteers or call 805-541-1400 to apply
On January 30th the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden celebrated all of its inspiring and dedicated volunteers with a virtual appreciation celebration! The Garden’s high performing volunteers were honored not only with receiving an award, but for the top honorees, their service is being acknowledged in a way that future volunteers can strive for the same level of dedication.
As long-time guardians of the Garden, that award was presented to and is now named the “Gaby and Ken Levine Garden Guardians Award”. Gaby and Ken Levine of Arroyo Grande have been supporters of the Garden since its inception.
Another award is now named the “Jan Von Engel Award” for Outstanding Service. Jan of San Luis Obispo was presented this award for his dedicated service to the Garden for over 20 years. According to Garden Executive Director Chenda Lor, “…talk about going above and beyond and being responsible for over 200 trees planted up and around the Garden, and our wonderful Chilean Wine Palm Grove.”
Additional volunteer award winners include: Team Commitment - Kathy Stewart, Jayne Devencenzi, Sandra Adams, Madeline Fay, and Sheri McCarthy
OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Pinch Hitters - Ben Trogdon and David Feldtkeller
Steve Brown
Rookies of the Year - Torrey Byles and Jon Kramer Special Project - Gene Levoff Volunteer Commitment - Larry Tolson Eco Ambassador - Bruce Bonifas Adaptable Contributor - Karen Darger Most Logged Volunteer Hours - Tamara Blett and Eve Vigil Outstanding Service - Steve Brown Lifetime Achievement - Ping Tsao
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Ping Tsao
* We are grateful to all of our volunteers past and present for helping to grow the garden with their time and talents. We have a robust volunteer network; not all volunteers logged hours in 2020
Adams, Sandra Aenlle, Jacqueline Albee, Megan Ambrose, Tony Americorps Argueta, Nicole Belknap, Cindy Bene, Jennifer Bertolas, Isabelle Blett, Tamara Blett, Craig Bonifas, Bruce Boy Scouts Bradley, Robin Branch, Mellanie Brown, Steve Burns, Marilee Burns, Drina Buscher, Patricia Byerly, Anne Byles, Torrey Cal Poly Com 102 Cardwell, Judy Carroll, Sandra Carum, Emily Claesson, Hana Coltharp, Erin Connelly, Pat Cox, Katie Daley, Micaela Dalton, Kori Daniels, Pamela Darger, Karen Delta Sigma Pi Devencenzi, Jayne Divok, Tia Dollar, Ellen Dorman, Frederika Draze, Dianne Escartin, Christine Fay, Madeline Feldtkeller, David Ferriera, Lillah Feye, Karla Fiorentinio, John Edward Fiorentino, John Steven Fisk, Matthew Foley, Linda Fourcroy, Cathy Francis, Russ Freitas, Connie Froman, Kate Fujimoto, David Galeazzi, Jan Garcia, Alice Garcia, Sophia Gatz, Jack Gatz, Pam Gauthier, Laura Giambrone, Luke
Our Volunteers Gomez, Gabriella Greenfield, Amanda Grisanti, Debby Hall, Mardi Hanson, Sibyl Hayes, Ruby Howard, Mikie Joyce, Stephanie Kahl, Michael Kedar, Liat Kehler, Suzanne Kehler, Tanja Kiefer, Alanna Kindig, Ron Kramer, Jon Laird, Ally Lao, Chi Levine, Gaby Levine, Ken Lewis, Ally Logan, Pam Longden, Cle Lotory, Kent Lopez, Kaito Lougee, Alliyah Lundstrom, Perrie Main, Terri Main, Charlie Mason, Elaine Mateo, Ayla-louise McCarthy, Shari Mccarthy, Michele McKay, Lief Mckeown, Wendy Melissa, Traynor Mendosa, Janie Merritt, Russ Michael, Carol Miles, Karen MindBody Minikel, June Moeller, Derek Murry, Catherine Niewold, Jan Niewold, Peter Nunez, Vanessa Odom, Rae Oliver, Kazuko Palmer, Carolynne Pampel, Haydee Parral, Loree Paul, Melissa Pedersen, Pete Peltzman, Ed Peltzman, Gaye Peracca, Mary Planesi, Chelsea Poff, Nova Prengle, Michelle Ricasata, Jonas
Richter, Heddy Roberts, Kris Rolph, Kayley Rolph, Mia Rolph, Sarah Rolph, Zander Romano, Hannah Root, Allen Rosales, Steve Rude, David Ruff, Calvin Rutherford, Marti Salwasser, Donna San Luis Obispo Rotary Club Schade, Ted Schmiedeberg, Brandon Schum, Nancy Schwaegerle, Camille Seely, Helen Sharpe, Peggy Shiozaki, Hana Skiff, Laura SLOHS NHS 2020 Smith, Sarah Marie Smith, Sheri Sohacki, Martha Sostrin, Sophia Stephens, Dylan StJohn, Jill Streetman, Fred Sutherland, Kathy Svinth, Kira Tarzier, Monica Thomas, Lauren Tillma, Phil Tolson, Larry Torcaso, Kathy Townsend, Paul Trogdon, Ben Tsao, Ke-Ping Tully, Cindy Van de Roovart, Jacob Vanwagner, Theresa Varni, Marcus Vigil, Eve Vigil, Sam Von Engel, Jan Wahl, Carlyn Walker Scott, Melissa Ware, Lucinda Wand, Erick Wand, Jennifer Wells, Zara Williams, Devin Worthy, Jane Yamada, Quinn Yeung, Kathleen Zeta Beta Tau Zuniga, Monica
Our Supporters
$500 - $999
$1,000 - $2,499
$10,000 - $49,000 Bette Kulp Kenneth and Gabrielle Levine The Community Foundation of SLO
$2,500 - $9,999 Clark Giving Fund Sharlene Dorsey Ron and Marya Kindig R. Bryant and Lanyce Mills Barb Renshaw Rotary Club of SLO Recreational Equipment Inc. The Marin Community Foundation Eve and Sam Vigil
Anonymous Joan and Tom Butch Libbie Agran and Guy Fitzwater Richard and Christine Greek Kon Tiki Inn Madrone Landscapes June Minikel Swift Action Fund Ed and Gaye Peltzman Jim Sargen Mark and Kathleen Torcaso Dr. Ke-Ping Tsao Lee and Victoria Wilkerson
$250 - $499 Ann and David Berhardt Karen Biaggini Anne and Keith Byerly Judy Cardwell Clark Channing DAB Charitable Fund Stephen and Phyllis Dorsi Marcus von Engel & Masako Ijuin Meg and Keith Evans Mark Frink Beverly Gingg V.L. Holland Lesa Jones Lions Club of Arroyo Grande
If you prefer that we list your name differently or if you have a correction, please contact us at (805) 541 1400 x303
Tamara and Craig Blett Clements Family Charitable Trust Ellen and Don Dollar Geosolutions Christine Harvey Lucy Jacob and Elwood Hyden IBM Corporation-Matching Gift Program Nancy Kolliner and Ned Long Richard and Patti Melsheimer Carol and Ray Michael Denise and Doug Overman Carolynne Palmer Colleen Phelan State Farm, Catherine Riedstra The Garlic Company Jan and Verena Von Engel Patricia Wyse
IN KIND DONATIONS Chris Roach and Jenny Levine Shari and Kevin McCarthy Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival Primary Eyecare Center Gillian and Thomas Rumsey Ted Schade Camille and Owen Schwaegerle Terry and James Smith Jill St. John The Schwaegerle Team Gail and Ronald Trace Mary Lou Wilhelm Meg and Keith Evans
Sandra Adams Art Central Craig Blett Steve Brown Glen Burdette CIO Solutions, LP CRS Printing Graphics by Erick Sallie Joyce-Higgins Ron Kindig Largo Concrete, Inc. Becky Levine Gabrielle and Kenneth Levine Deborah Lord
Sharon Lovejoy New Times Larry Tolson Pacific Coast Lumber Edward and Gaye Peltzman Reiss Design Studio RRM Design Group San Luis Paper Co. Patti Stanifer St. Francis Landscape & Gardening Taylor & Syfan Consulting Engineers Eve and Sam Vigil Jan Von Engel
$100 - $249 Jerry Acalin Anne Sinsheimer Charitable Gift Fund Katherine Bay Elma Beutel Vicki Bookless Wendy Brown Carola Bundy Chorro Lodge No. 168 Diane Clausen William Cochran Polly Cooper and Scott Clark Janene Cooper and Douglas Hall Kathleen Copeland Kathrine Coull Meg Crockett and Fred Clegg Chris Darrow Carol Denneen Domenica and Michael Devine Nate Everitt Madeline Fay Chris Fiorentino Judy Fukunaga James and Elaine Gardiner Jack and Pam Gatz Sandra Gillespie Rich and Lark P. Granger Yvon and Jack Gresser Nicholas and Deborah Grisanti
Don Gruenewald Joanne Hand Sibyl M. Hanson Marcie and Daniel Hawthorne Sue and J. Myron Hood Janet Huston Roland Hutchinson Tom and Dorine Jamason Beverly James Helen and Don E. Jernigan Dr. Steven Jobst and Jill Anderson Jojoba Obispo Farms Lorna Lee and James Keefe Lindsey Harn Real Estate Roger and Claretta J. Longden Sandi Lucas Edie Lycke Alissa Maddren Eileen Martin Diane and Pat McKeague Wendy McKeown Randall Murray Michole Nicholson William and Kazuko Oliver Jackie B. and Ben Parker Christine and John Parker-Kennedy Virginia Pekar Pete and Addie Petersen
Dennis and Shellie Philbin Michelle and Scott Prengle Heddy Ann Richter Gayle and George Rosenberger Shiela Schraub Madeleine and David Shaw Donald T. Shealy Diane and Ernest Shervem Anita Shower Sheri Smith Brenda and Calvin Smyth St. Francis Landscaping Mary Noelle Stilson Dale and Sharon Sutliff Patricia and Chuck Townsend Kathleen Waddell Anna and Donald R. Waller Joan Wendlikowski James E. White and Jill Bolster-White Victoria Wood
*These numbers reflect the supporters currently in our system and indicate the level of support logged ONLY for 2020.
MEMBERSHIP & GIVING HELP SUPPORT OUR MISSION TO HONOR AND PRESERVE OUR CONNECTION WITH NATURE
FREE ADMISSION TO THE SLO BOTANICAL GARDEN 2022 Membership rates will most likely increase, so buy your membership today!
$55 Individual or $25 Student
$65 Household
• American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admissions:
All the benefits of the individual membership plus:
free admission and/or additional benefits at over 300 Reciprocal Gardens.
• 1 free plant when you join • 10% off Eve’s Garden Shop items (regular price only) • 10% off volunteer-grown plants • Discounts on classes, workshops, and special events • Subscription to our e-Newsletter • Access to our Reference Library with over 900 books and periodicals • Nursery Discount Program: 10% off select nurseries
BUSINESS Membership Tiers
FREE Admission to the Garden
Discounts on Children’s Camp, Classes, Workshops and special events for Household Members
$55 Non-Profit All the benefits of the individual membership plus: Receive the Non-Profit rental rate
Join us as a valued Business Member! We trust your involvement with the Garden will prove to be a growing relationship for us both.
Yarrow
Sage
Fuchsia
Toyon
Buckeye
Poppy
$250
$500
$1,250
$2,500
$5,000
$10,000
1 Membership Card*
2 Membership Cards*
4 Membership Cards*
6 Membership Cards*
8 Membership Cards*
10 Membership Cards*
30% offf Rental Fee
4 Hour Rental
1 Day Rental
2 Day Rental
Company Logo on Garden website Company Postings on Garden Bulletin Board Company Logo in Monthly E-Newsletter Company Logo on Garden Program Handouts Company Logo w/link on Garden Homepage Company Recognition Display in Garden Featured Article in Garden E-Newsletter Oak Glen Pavillion Facility Rental
FE E D I N G T H E RO OTS O F O UR GARDEN
For more information on the Perennial Guild and other ways to support the Garden, check our website (slobg.org) or contact Ruta Saliklis, Operations Director, at (805) 541-1400 ext. 303 or by email at ruta@slobg.org
Purchase a commemorative tile today!
www.slobg.org/donate
Showcase your little artist in our Children’s Garden!
for more information visit us at
www.slobg.org/calendar/pickets
Nonprofit Organization Permit #459 San Luis Obispo CA 93401
3450 Dairy Creek Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93405