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A PUBLICATION FROM WATERFRONT BOTANICAL GARDENSFALL 2023IN BLOOM

Hello to all as we close out the summer and make way for fall. The changing of seasons is something we expect and understand as nature’s way of renewing and progressing. This concept also rings true of our recent leadership shifts at Waterfront Botanical Gardens. In June, I accepted the role of Interim CEO at Waterfront Botanical Gardens after having served as Chairperson of the Board. At the end of August, Kasey Maier stepped down as President and Chief Strategy Ocer after a successful and historic 10-year tenure. Kasey was the Gardens’ first sta member, and she saw the dream of a botanical garden in Louisville become a reality. Kasey enthusiastically led the acquisition, planning, and development of the site along with the growth of the sta from zero to 22 team members. Her determination and passion for the vision and mission of Waterfront Botanical Gardens ensured success for one of our region’s most important community assets. As Interim CEO, I am honored to continue this important work. If you have not visited us yet, this is certainly the time to do it. The Gardens are beautiful, the classrooms are full, and the event space is busy with celebrations and corporate gatherings. The horticulture team has done an outstanding job caring for our plants given the summer’s hot weather and heavy rains. Most of our adult and youth classes are sold out, just like last year. Our volunteers and interns were a tremendous help to us this summer as well. Teamwork is essential to all we do, and we are so fortunate to have a phenomenal team.With the busyness of another summer at the Gardens, it is so easy to get caught up in the “how” and “what” of our events, programs, and operations that sometimes we overlook the A LETTER FROM THE INTERIM CEO STAFFMargaret Cregor Bell Interim CEOJe Fortwengler Chief Finance OcerDavena Vowels Chief Operating OcerMegan Bibelhauser Director of Marketing & CommunicationsAndrew Hagerty Director of HorticultureHakeem Nuru Director of Human ResourcesLori Kay Scott Director of DevelopmentCaroline Anderson Special Events CoordinatorDaniel Cash Facilities CoordinatorDuncan Cherry Marketing & Media ManagerDrew Combs Arboriculture SpecialistAmy Defigueiredo Accounting ManagerRosie Devine Administrative ManagerHunter Dixon Development Operations ManagerAbby Fleming Special Events CoordinatorChelsea Hicks Horticulture SpecialistLogan Lewis Property Maintenance ManagerMary Miller Grant WriterJen O’Connell Special Events ManagerWanda Peck Youth Education ManagerKat Rivers Adult Education Manager Molly Young Memberships & Volunteer ManagerOFFICERS OF THE BOARDNancy Davis Chair Retired, Former CFO Stock Yards Bank & TrustDavid Grey Secretary United HealthcareOUR VISIONPlanting seeds and growing minds for more sustainable cities. Caroline AndersonSpecial Events CoordinatorAbby FlemingSpecial Events CoordinatorWELCOME NEW STAFFTHANK YOU SUMMER STAFF AND INTERNS! This summer, Waterfront Botanical Gardens welcomed five Horticulture interns, one Seasonal Horticulturist, three Education Assistants, and one Marketing intern. Each of these individuals brought their own skills and talents to the team, and we are incredibly grateful for their work at the Gardens.

“why.” Recognizing this, our team has dedicated time lately to discuss the value and purpose of the Gardens for our community, our neighbors, our region, and ourselves. One answer that has risen to the top is that we are building an urban oasis through environmental reclamation. While there are a variety of wonderful greenspaces in the area, there are many things that set Waterfront Botanical Gardens apart. We are dierent from our peers in the city due to our proximity to downtown, and we are part of the tourism industry that starts on River Road and traverses through NuLu and into downtown. We are growing on top of a former landfill, the Ohio Street Dump, which brings with it immense challenges but even more rewards. We are dierent because we not only oer classes that are traditional in the United States, but we have expanded our curriculum to include Japanese cultural programs. There are so many things to enjoy in the urban core of our city, as well as the broader Kentuckiana region, and Waterfront Botanical Gardens is thrilled to contribute to this.We have nearly 20 more acres to develop, and that takes time and money. The vision for our Master Plan is in place, and we are working daily to bring this to reality. Many have asked for updates on the Japanese Garden. While we continue to fundraise for this next phase, we have paused construction so that we can focus on current garden operations and maintaining everything we have already built. We look forward to sharing updates with you, and we will keep the community informed on our progress. Thank you for your support. Margaret Cregor BellInterim CEOSusan Howard Treasurer Assistant Director of Tax Services, Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLCBOARD OF DIRECTORSGreg Braun Owner & Founder, Maid in LouisvilleGordon Brown Retired, former President & CEO, Home of the InnocentsGreg Buccola Managing Principal, KPFF Consulting EngineersDavid Carpenter President/CEO, Japan/America Society of KentuckyKaren Dahlem President, Dahlem ConsultingKevin Fennell Architect, Calhoun ConstructionMatthew Boone Gardiner Owner & President, Boone Gardiner Landscape and FarmDavid Graeser Retired, President, Bohnert Equipment Co., Inc.Will Greene Owner, Vanguard Cleaning Systems of LouisvilleKathy Oyler Community Leader and VolunteerMerry-Kay Poe President, Unbridled Films LLCBen Ruley Vice President of Financial Planning Analysis, Tri-Arrows AluminumJon Salomon Partner, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLPChase Sanders Senior Investor Relations Analyst, Brown-FormanFrances M. Scholtz Community Leader and VolunteerBen Simmons Associate & Client Liaison, Schmidt AssociatesClay Stinnett CFO, EVP, Stock Yards Bank & TrustGerry-Lynn Wichmann, MD Medical Director of Substance Use, Louisville Veterans Aairs Medical CenterRobert McDowell (Mac) Willett Owner, R. M. Willett Properties and Willett Lumber CoMort Brown, Horticulture Intern - Agriculture, Seneca High SchoolAnsley Colvin, Horticulture Intern - Landscape Architecture, University of KentuckyAlistair Flowers, Horticulture Intern - Agriculture, Western Kentucky UniversityKendal Gibbons, Marketing Intern - Communications and Design, Art, and Technology, Bellarmine UniversityDebbie Godfrey, Education Assistant - B.A. in Sociology, certified Parent EducatorSabreen Hussain, Education Assistant - Environmental Studies, Centre CollegeMario Lincoln, Horticulture Intern - Art and Design, Art, and Technology, Bellarmine UniversityAlia Nawab, Education Assistant - Sustainability and International Aairs, Loyola UniversityTara Sheehan, Seasonal Horticulturist - Avid gardener and WBG supporterRiley Spitznagel, Horticulture Intern - Environmental Science, Indiana University COVER FLORAFront: Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus ‘Starry Starry Night’). Photo by Duncan CherryBack: Blanketflower (Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’). Photo by Valerie J. SmithSpecial thanks to:

When Judy Dickson moved to Louisville in 2005, she wasinitially disappointed to learn that the city had no botanicalgarden. Unbeknownst to her, plans were underway to develop a botanical garden and conservatory thanks to a generousbequest from Helen Harrigan in 2021. Judy shared, “I was delighted when I heard about the eort to start a garden on alandfill. I became an early brick donor at the Heigold Façade.I still remember the day I drove around the Façade and up thehill. Nothing existed. Only potential and dreams of an essentialnatural place where people could seek education and beauty  in nature.”Earlier this year, Waterfront Botanical Gardens announcedthe newly named Helen Harrigan Legacy Society. Legacy giving and charitable estate planning allows individuals tomake a lasting impact on the causes they care about. For Judy,supporting the Gardens was an easy decision. “I am a longtimegardener and lover of nature. I want to see the establishmentof a garden open to everyone and available for innovation,education, and enjoyment. At Waterfront Botanical Gardens, I have been able to watch a field of weeds and dirt turn into abeautiful place full of joy and enchantment.”Although Judy and her husband initially named anotherbotanical garden in their trust, their desire to see WaterfrontBotanical Gardens become a reality inspired a change of heart.“When I learned about the plans to put a garden here, I knewthat I needed to redo my trust and help keep the dream of anisland on a landfill real and present.”As a member of the Helen Harrigan Legacy Society, Judyrecognizes the intrinsic value of supporting the Gardens past her own lifetime. “A planned gift seems more permanent and lasting. It’s part of our obligation to the future. We face copiousamounts of negative environmental events; therefore, my supportfor this tiny oasis stood as necessary and needed.”The value of planned giving extends far beyond monetarycontributions, as it empowers donors to leave a profound legacy that can benefit generations to come.Judy shares that she is both relieved and proud at her decision tomake a legacy gift to Waterfront Botanical Gardens. “I’m certainthat funds will be provided to future generations and help improvethe availability of nature and related programs to everyone. I consider the Waterfront Botanical Gardens a necessity for thehealth and the beauty of this city.”Thanks to Waterfront Botanical Gardens’ phenomenal  community of supporters and a generous match donor, the1,000 Cranes Campaign raised a grand total of $234,926.75!The 1,000 Cranes Campaign was inspired by a story in Japanesefolklore that says if you fold 1,000 origami cranes (千羽鶴, senbazuru) your wish will come true. Donors that committed  to a gift of $1,000 or more were also welcomed into the  Crane Community.It is our dream to fulfill the community’s wish of building aworld-class botanical garden, and we are thrilled with thesuccess of this campaign. THANK YOU to our donors who inspire, support, and propel us forward.The very first members to donate and join the CraneCommunity were Mark Ga and Jack Tindal. Mark and Jackhave been champions of the Gardens since 2012 after seeingearly presentations about the plans for Louisville’s first botanicalgarden and conservatory. Their foray into volunteering beganwith pulling weeds at the Heigold Façade on Frankfort Avenueat the entrance to the Gardens, whose garden beds aremaintained by WBG.Together, Mark and Jack have maintained an active role involunteering. They are WBG Members and regular attendees tospecial events and have expanded their support of the Gardensto give tours and provide outreach in the community. Mark and Jack truly embody ambassadorship for the Gardens with theirgifts of time, talent, and treasure.Mark and Jack were drawn to the 1,000 Cranes Campaignbecause it allowed them to give a personally meaningful gift,that collectively, would make an even larger impact. Thisimpact was further amplified by the generous matching giftthat doubled contributions up to a total of $100,000. Marksaid, “It would be great if we won the lottery and could make amajor donation to WBG, but more realistically, we just want thesatisfaction of knowing that we did our small part in helping theproject come to fruition.”Fulfilling our   Community’s Wish1,000 Cranes CampaignEmily O’DellDevelopment Specialist

WONDROUS PLACEI wandered lonely as a cloud,And a garden appeared full of green and proud.Why should I give and what does it matter?‘Cause I’ll be just dust and scattered.But on that dirt rises a plethora of plants,  a host of golden daffodils among them, I roam.Full of peace and beauty and a dome.A cherry blossom gives fragrance and its birds, a song to sing.The pagoda, arched bridge, and bells give new life with their ring.My time and my support sustain and keep this place of pride.For the future packed with Edens at full face unafraid to hide.So. . .give. . .work. . .serve this worthy spot and be joyous— you’ve saved the land.  ‘Cause now you’re a part of this wondrous garden  both green and grand.-J. DicksonItalicized excerpts from William Wordsworth’s  “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”Donate to support the Gardens atwaterfrontgardens.org/support or scan the QR code to the leftThe power of any project is in its ability to rally support andallow individuals to come together for a common cause. The dream of a botanical garden in Louisville has been in place fordecades, but only recently have we seen this vision begin tocome to life. In 2019, the Gardens opened to the public, and in2022 we welcomed nearly 40,000 visitors.Mark oered words of encouragement for those consideringsupporting the Gardens: “This is a big addition to our wonderfulcity. It is something that the entire city can enjoy for years tocome. It is important that we educate people regarding thenecessity to care for our natural resources. It will also createeconomic growth and help to attract visitors and talent.”A botanical garden is a living museum that allows visitorsto interact with plants they may not see locally. We have an historic opportunity to bring an important cultural andeducational asset to Kentuckiana, where all are welcome and encouraged to connect with nature. To this end, the Gardensteam is busy raising funds, maintaining the beautiful space  we have created, and continuing to grow and build.We have made tremendous progress thus far includingcompletion of the Graeser Family Education Center, EllenT. Leslie Botanical Classrooms, Beargrass Creek Pathway,Gardens plazas and Rounsavall Family Foundation PlazaFountain, edible and native garden beds, and more.As Mark imagined folding his own 1,000 origami cranesand sending a wish into the stratosphere, he shared,“Our wish for WBG is that the current site and all threephases of the Master Plan will be completed in the nextten years. It would be thrilling to see the final product and remember how it began and how many peopleworked hard to make it happen.”Mark, Jack, and our entire community of supporters arethe driving force ensuring the vision of Waterfront BotanicalGardens becomes a reality. “WBG is poised to make majorsteps toward the final goal of a world-class botanicalgarden. The current sta is fantastic and hopefully witha new CEO, all the talents involved will be able to thriveand grow,” said Mark. Thank you to everyone whocontributed to the 1,000 Cranes Campaign and may  all your wishes come true!The LastingImpactLori Kay ScottDirector of DevelopmentTo learn more about planned giving and the HelenHarrigan Legacy Society, or if you’ve already included  the Gardens in your plans, please contact Lori at  lkscott@waterfrontgardens.org | 502-609-3580of Legacy Giving

STEP 1: Be clear about the goals and limitations of your garden. Do you want to maximize food production, grow champion roses, or have attractive perennial flowers throughout the year? Each of these gardens requires a dierent perspective when planning for soil structure, nutrient availability, and hydrology. Having a basic understanding of the soil type, quality, and pH on your site is essential to providing your chosen plants with their preferred nutrients and site conditions. If you’re cultivating of a plant with specific needs, do your research to ensure they can be met by your site. If you don’t know your soil’s characteristics, the UK Cooperative Extension Service oers free soil testing. Also consider the site history, location of utilities, and the property’s drainage patterns. This is especially important in an urban environment as drainage patterns can change quickly and utilities are often present where we least expect.STEP 2: Build and maintain organic matter. There are many ways to increase organic matter in your soil including incorporating compost, mulching 1-3” thick, and planting cover crops in the winter. These allow for a kind of biological tillage, where fungi, microbes, and roots move through compacted soil and break down organic material. This increases nutrient availability through cation exchange, the absorption of nutrients into plant roots at the molecular level. Do not let your soils go uncovered. Bare soils are at risk of erosion and degradation, while welcoming noxious and invasive weeds. Apply fertilizers when necessary. Fertilizers are incredibly useful to help increase plant vigor, increase vegetative growth and fruit or flower production, and overcome nutrient deficiencies. As you build soil, pay attention to how it changes over time. Rich, dark, teeming with life, and earthy scents are good signs. Hard packed, gray, and sour-smelling are signs of compaction, a lack of oxygen, and other serious problems.Special events at Waterfront Botanical Gardens attract diverse audiences including members of our local and regional community, media, current supporters, new connections, and other important stakeholders. Like most nonprofits, we also rely heavily on sponsorship support to ensure the success of these events.Philanthropy through sponsorship allows individuals and organizations to establish stronger connections with the communities in which they operate while aligning themselves with meaningful causes. Sometimes, a sponsor is simply an avid supporter of the mission that is willing to provide financial support for a special cause. Waterfront Botanical Gardens sponsors are tremendous champions for creating an urban oasis and the reclamation of the former landfill on which we sit. The Gardens’ second annual Fascinator Aair serves as a wonderful example of all the benefits of sponsorship. On April 13, 2023 we hosted our signature Derby-season event which included a fascinator fashion show featuring the designs of Ashley Russell Millinery, led by emcee Jean West, and a farm-to-table spring lunch by Wiltshire Pantry. The Gardens’ tulips, daodils, and creeping phlox were in full bloom for the 95 guests in attendance. The presenting sponsors for the event were Mac and Catherine Willett, whose personal support of the Gardens’ mission drove their desire to help. Mac also serves on the Waterfront Botanical Gardens board of directors. To support our promotional eorts for both this event and exposure for the Gardens in general, we collaborated with Today’s Woman as media sponsor. Sponsors Mountjoy Chilton Medley and Vendome Copper & Brass Works were also able to reach our special audience in attendance, contributing to their brand visibility and recognition.Giving BackThrough SponsorshipMegan BibelhauserDirector of Marketing and CommunicationsSoil health is the first step on the journey to an ecologically diverse and productive garden. From new development to century-old neighborhoods, many urban soils are characterized by excess compaction from development and foot trac, poor nutrient availability, and large variations in parent material and structure. Luckily, there are a variety of techniques to help quickly rebuild topsoil. Follow the steps below, borrowed from permaculture and sustainable agriculture practices, when considering soil and garden health in an urban environment.

To learn more about event sponsorship opportunities, contact development@waterfrontgardens.orgDrew CombsArboriculture SpecialistSTEP 3: Sit back and enjoy. Soil Health = Plant Health, which in turn leads to a verdant garden. A healthy soil for our region consists of medium to well-draining clay-loam, a rich and complex microbiotic ecosystem, and a wide variety of soil pore space with which nutrients can be made available to plants. Building soil is a long-term task. Investing in soil health will give your garden the resources needed to thrive. It is based on science, curiosity, and intention. Pay attention, plan appropriately, and get to growing!All sponsors received tickets to attend the Fascinator Aair. Five fascinator models were the stars of the show, but the bold colors and floral prints worn by guests made the event exceptionally vibrant and cheerful. The audible “oohs and aahs’’ from the crowd were accompanied by cheerful laughter as guests enjoyed sparkling wine cocktails adorned with edible flowers. At the conclusion of the fashion show and luncheon, attendees browsed a large selection of Ashley Russell’s fascinator designs available for purchase. Although the benefit to the Gardens is clear, our hope is always that sponsors take something away that is even greater than the opportunity to build relationships and create connections with new audiences. Sponsorship is a wonderful form of philanthropy that supports our organization, while championing your belief in our cause. It is deeply meaningful, and deeply appreciated. Thank you to all of our sponsors for your enduring support. Building Soil in the Urban Garden

Keepingit GrowingRising to the Challengea former landfill into an educational and horticultural landmark. We are inspired to see how our community’s devotion to this formidable task has already given us a place for plants to prosper, people to learn, and visitors to appreciate. Our team is eager to consider new opportunities as we continue discovering the value our Gardens provide.We knew from the beginning one of the greatest hurdles our horticulture department would face was the existing damage to the soils on site. When retiring a landfill, there are strict requirements to ensure the generations of refuse remain buried and sealed. Clay soil is used to form an almost impenetrable cap, encasing and compacting the garbage beneath. Though this is an eective method for keeping the trash in place, it also hinders the healing process required to restore the land. The first successful steps we took were to decompact the clay with an excavator and mix in compost. In the beginning, our soil conditions were so inhospitable that we did not see a single worm while digging holes for the thousands of plants on site. By the middle of the following summer, we celebrated when worms emerged from the ground during a heavy rain, and we continue to enjoy the vibrant flora and fauna seen today. Science and art converge in botanical gardens, forming a place to experience the beauty and magnificence of nature. Visitors can admire the endless colors of flowers and the collages they create, or be transfixed by the sway of ornamental grass; watching with awe at their seeds’ evolved ability to float with the wind and take root somewhere new. Botanical gardens are places to find happiness while watching pollinators and people go from flower to flower, indulging in their benefits. But, there is more than delight and curiosity to be felt while observing a garden’s beauty. We must also appreciate those who put forth the eort to make this place possible. There is an urge when staring up at a mature tree to thank its caretakers; those who spent their time nurturing the tree so it could grow to a size that invokes awe and provides relief from the summer sun. At Waterfront Botanical Gardens, this sense of appreciation deepens when we recognize our shared connection to many who came before us, all working towards building a garden that will be cherished for generations to come. Every botanical garden has obstacles to overcome. While some challenges are shared industry-wide, Waterfront Botanical Gardens has many that are uniquely our own. It is thrilling to be part of a team committed to turning Andrew HagertyDirector of Horticulture

The Gardens’ approach to restoring our soils is holistic. We are using the tried-and-true methods of adding compost and mulch to build an organic layer. We are also using more innovative methods such as applying organic amendments with sprayers, as well as injecting them directly into the soil, to improve its capacity for holding nutrients and supporting life. Every step of the way we are taking notes and tracking our progress because we recognize the importance of being able to share what we learn. Soils in urban settings are frequently abused by human activity. During construction projects, soil health is rarely even an afterthought. The soil becomes stripped of its organic material, heavily compacted, and polluted. Inhabitants of these areas are left with soils similar to what was found at the Gardens. By dedicating ourselves to restoring the poor soil conditions on our land, Waterfront Botanical Gardens has the potential to become even more than a destination to appreciate plants. We strive to be an example of how damaged soils can be restored and support a healthy urban ecosystem once again. Transforming a former brownfield into a botanical garden is no easy task and few people have done it before. Waterfront Botanical Gardens is not alone in searching for ways to restore our site. Others see the value of our eorts and want to help. As the Gardens better understand what lies ahead, we continue to expand relationships and look for new ways to work with universities, students, local professionals, and environmental agencies - all wanting to aid in the creation of a world-class botanical garden atop a former dump. It is uplifting to see the interest and receive encouragement from sta at other gardens when we share stories of our work. It is gratifying to know our community is supporting a project that, once completed, will be an accomplishment we can all be proud of. It is a privilege to have a role in nature’s renewal.The horticulture department is gaining momentum on more than soil restoration. Waterfront Botanical Gardens has reached its fourth growing season and the plants have settled in. This year was the first time our perennials grew so large they needed to be thinned out or cut back. The 1,200-foot pollinator corridor seeded alongside I-71 is crowded with native flowers, and we observed them covered with foraging insects. Trees planted along the Beargrass Creek Pathway have grown enough to shade the beds beneath their canopies. Their growth will allow us to bring in shade-loving plants next spring, and begin a new transformation into the woodland garden it will one day be. The Gardens have become a place to commemorate life’s special moments. On sunny days, visitors are seen capturing memories and celebrating accomplishments by taking pictures with the Gardens’ beauty as a backdrop. This summer was the start of our horticulture internship education program. It was a joy to watch our interns laugh at each other’s plant poems, learn how arborists climb trees, and collect bugs for inspection under the microscope. We also became proud partners with Seneca High School. Seneca oers an urban agricultural magnet program teaching the intricacies of plant and animal sciences. Two students from their program have now completed internships at the Gardens. These are just a few of the ways we continue to grow, and we look forward to future collaborations. This is only the beginning, and that is what is so exciting about Waterfront Botanical Gardens. There is nothing but room to grow and potential to unveil. The Gardens are an opportunity for our community to do something transformative. It is a way to heal damaged land and turn it into a place where people and nature can thrive. It is important to be thankful to those whose devotion to the dream of building a botanical garden brought us to where we are today. Waterfront Botanical Gardens’ continued success will take the same persistence and belief as before, and the result will be an achievement appreciated by generations to come.

Kat RiversAdult Education ManagerAdult Education What subjects do you specialize in teaching?EJS: Forms of meditative spiritual practice, particularly sound meditation, chanting, yoga, and seated meditation.KN: Mindfulness and meditation.YY: Japanese Culture - origami, Japanese calligraphy, sushi making, dance, and more!HP: Watercolor and gouache illustrations.Why do you teach at Waterfront Botanical Gardens?EJS: It is the ideal setting for meditative practice. The gardens are so beautiful for the walking meditation segment of our retreat. The sta is a dream to work with and we are very supported in our planning and execution.KN: So many reasons! I support the mission that has envisioned and built beautiful gardens, water features, and interior spaces. I’m uplifted every time I visit. I love the stories about how WBG came to be and the notion that we are on top of remains of another purpose this place served in the past.INSPIRING AWE THROUGH NATURELearn more about Youth and Family Programs at the Gardens! waterfrontgardens.org/youtheducation or scan the QR code belowHey there, neighbors! As the Adult Education Manager at Waterfront Botanical Gardens, most of my time is spent curating educational content for our adult learners. From group tours to floral arranging, I ensure the space is filled with content that any inquisitive mind could dip their curiosity into and further explore. This isn’t accomplished alone! I would like to introduce some of our instructors who have helped me curate the wide array of programs at the Gardens. These individuals spend months of their time building lessons and writing content to host the “perfect” class. If you are inspired and would like to explore teaching your passion, please contact me. Let’s inspire Awe through Nature!

To view our full lineup of Adult Education Classes, visit waterfrontgardens.org/AdultEd or scan the QR code aboveSUMMER WRAP-UPWhat has been your favorite teaching moment at the Gardens?YY: I usually greet people in Japanese with “konbanwa” (good evening) and “arigato” (thank you). When someone says “arigato” to me after the class, I feel very happy!HP: My favorite moment was at the end of my last class, “Paint Your Favorite Houseplant.” One person asked if I taught art full time and said I have the energy of an art teacher - a huge compliment! Through teaching art at WBG, I came to the conclusion that I would love to teach art every day. I now plan to return to college to finish a degree in art education and turn my love of teaching into a career. Are there any programs or workshops you hope to create in the future?KN: Cooking workshop: Whole food plant-based eating.YY: Tea ceremony, trying on yukata (Japanese summer kimono) by yourself, bento class, and Japanese drum.HP: I would really like to do a ceramic workshop in which we paint botanical illustrations using underglazes. Underglazes are very similar to watercolors and fun to use.Emily Joan Smith (EJS), WBG Instructor since January 2022 Karen Newton (KN), WBG Instructor since January 2022 Yuriko Yamamoto (YY), WBG Instructor since August 2022 Haloy Prevette (HP), WBG Instructor since November 2022Youth & Family ProgramsAs summer draws to a close, our education team at Waterfront Botanical Gardens is once again celebrating a successful camp season with higher attendance numbers and more children reached than in any of our previous years. Our accomplishments for summer 2023 are largely attributed to the generous grant received from the Norton Foundation which allowed us to sponsor two weeks of tuition-free camp for children in financial need within our community. The grant also aided in funding our seasonal camp sta that served to connect our campers to gardening and the beauty of the natural world in the months of June and July.This summer, for the general public, we introduced two new thematic weeks of camp for ages 6-10. Hosted by our Japanese Cultural Specialist Yuriko Yamamoto, our Japanese Culture Camp focused on teaching campers introductory lessons to origami, calligraphy, and language, while also celebrating our own future Japanese Garden. Next up was a weeklong Art and Nature Camp. This camp focused on artists from dierent times in history and how their art was inspired by plants. Campers worked with a variety of mediums including watercolors, clay, and printmaking.While our Sprouts Camps are certainly the main focus of our summer months, I would be remiss not to mention WBG’s involvement with Fund for the Arts’ Cultural Pass. Focused on the five senses, this year’s program was oered every Friday in June and July and brought a sensory garden indoors for kids to see, smell, taste, hear, and touch. We reached over 400 children this summer with the Cultural Pass, many of whom were first-time Gardens visitors. We love these opportunities to engage new families and introduce young Louisville learners to our campus.Wanda PeckYouth Education Manager

Chelsea HicksHorticulture Specialist - Avish EstateThe Gardens are a place where people can learn, express themselves, bond with others, and find their purpose. One of the best parts of my role as a horticulturist at the Avish Estate, WBG’s satellite gardens, is to watch others discover what this space can provide for them. Volunteers provide a huge service to the Gardens, and there are many reasons they choose to give us their precious time. They range from socializing with others, weeding to exercise within their physical constraints, receiving artistic inspiration, finding peace during a period of grievance, learning plant varieties, and doing their part for a better future. For a volunteer with limited hands-on gardening experience, weeding and harvesting crops is a great opportunity to learn and get acquainted with the work. For more seasoned gardeners, tasks like deadheading, pruning, planting, and mulching are oered. My work at the Avish Estate includes growing annual plants like fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and also caring for herbaceous and woody perennials, aquatic plants, tropical plants, and bonsai. When I have volunteer assistance, I’m able to do it all! Support with simple tasks like pulling weeds allows me to focus on the details of the garden instead of weekly maintenance. The value of this help cannot be overstated, and is always appreciated!Waterfront Botanical Gardens’ community of members is a great force of positivity and support for all we are doing. They propel us forward and multiply our eorts to educate our community about the benefits of nature and a healthy environment, while also embracing our vision to build a world-class urban botanical garden. Membership entails more than being a champion of the Gardens’ mission, it also comes with many fun and engaging benefits. One such member benefit is discounted pricing on our educational oerings, as well as access to exclusive members-only programming like Sunset Sips and Laugh & Learn. Members recently spent a warm summer evening creating their very own garden gnomes out of clay under the guidance of our talented instructor and artist, Hannah McClain, as part of our Laugh & Learn series. Providing a space for members to tap into their creativity while making something with their hands was joyful to see. Members delighted in creating an original piece of art which will now adorn their home gardens (while also bringing luck and protection, as all gnomes do). Seeing our members come together to tap into their imaginations was a great pleasure for sta and only fuels our desire to create as many meaningful opportunities for our members as we can. Learn more about becoming a Member! waterfrontgardens.org/membership or scan the QR code to the leftTHROUGH THE GARDENS Finding Purpose

Molly YoungMemberships and  Volunteer ManagerMembership ProgramOne of the most rewardinginteractions I had with ourhorticulture volunteers took placeon a chilly morning while a groupof us were planting potatoes. Yes,potatoes. One person shared theirchildhood memories of this task,while others mentioned this was afirst-time experience. This seeminglysimple moment is representative ofthe Gardens’ ability to create newmemories, while rekindling old ones.I love being a part of that. Having the opportunity to engage with allour wonderful volunteers expandsour appreciation for how this  work touches others, and gives  the horticulture team an evengreater purpose.Learn more about volunteering at theGardens! waterfrontgardens.org/volunteer or scan the QR code to the leftTHROUGH THE GARDENS THERE’S GNOME PLACE LIKE THE GARDENS

Each year, the Kentuckiana Association for Volunteer Administration (KAVA) publicly recognizes a member that distinguishes themselves in the long-term performance and excellence of volunteer leadership. The Excellence in Volunteer Engagement Award (EVE) recognizes the outstanding contributions and professionalism of Volunteer Administration in the Louisville area. In 2023, Waterfront Botanical Gardens’ Molly Young was the recipient of the EVE award. In Molly’s role as Memberships and Volunteer Manager, she is responsible for volunteer recruitment, training, and professional development. She works tirelessly to source new volunteers, and trains them to be a positive reflection of the Gardens in all that they do. Thanks to Molly’s ability to nurture these relationships, WBG has a continuous stream of new, smiling faces working alongside those that have been with us for years. The Gardens’ current roster of active volunteers includes over 250 individuals. Volunteer opportunities span many departments, and include Waterfront Botanical Gardens’ inaugural Spring Bonsai Weekend, in partnership with the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society, was held from May 20 - 21, 2023. This non-juried show featured nearly 60 bonsai of varying species, styles, and age. The oldest tree on display was a 120-year-old Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa). Over 2,000 attendees visited the Gardens for the Spring Bonsai Weekend. Gardens visitors and members of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society (GLBS) were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite tree. The “People’s Choice” and “Member’s Choice” awards both went to a slanted Hinoki Cypress entered by Russell Stevens, GLBS President and owner of Twisted Nature Bonsai. While most bonsai were entered by members of the GLBS, eight trees from WBG’s collection were also presented. These trees, along with 16 others, were donated to the Gardens in 2020 by the late Tommy McCurry who was an avid collector. They will be displayed in the future Graeser Family Bonsai Garden as a part of the Japanese Garden. Further education and entertainment included informative bonsai demonstrations by Tim Weckman, owner of Berea Bonsai, and Russell Stevens. Japanese Cultural Specialist Yuriko Yamamoto provided a Japanese calligraphy demonstration and a Japanese flute performance. We are thrilled at the success of this event, and plans for future bonsai exhibitions are in the works. To learn more about the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society, visit louisvillebonsai.org.MOLLY YOUNGRECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AWARDSPRING BONSAI WEEKEND

2023 Past EventsUPCOMING EVENTSSta Canoe Tour of Beargrass CreekMusic in the Gardens – The Jesse LeesJapanese Culture Sprouts CampGardens Highlights Walk and Talk Fascinator Aaireverything from pulling weeds and giving group tours, to representing WBG at community outreach events.To make this well-deserved recognition even more special, the award was presented to Molly during a KAVA meeting that coincidentally took place in the Graeser Family Education Center at Waterfront Botanical Gardens. We are thrilled to celebrate all of Molly’s hard-earned achievements. Congratulations, Molly!

P.O. BOX 5056LOUISVILLE, KY 40255-0056Gardening simply does notallow one to be mentally old,because too many hopes anddreams are yet to be realized.“”Dr. Allan Armitage
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