If you’ve walked through the Arboretum in the past week or so, we hope you noticed how fresh and vibrant it looks! On Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, more than 1300 volunteer hours went into sprucing it up. A total of 340 volunteers—a record for this event—worked in the park, laying mulch and weeding the collection beds to make the Arboretum look even more beautiful.
The volunteers moved 230 cubic yards of mulch! Over half of this was applied to planting beds along Azalea Way, the Arboretum’s most popular destination. In addition, over 36 cubic yards of weeds were removed! Primarily those pesky blackberries and English ivy vines. Most of the removal happened along Azalea Way, as well as in the Pinetum and Holly Collection.
A heartfelt thanks to all who participated! Your efforts are vital for sustaining the Arboretum. As Arboretum Foundation Executive Director Paige Miller said in her welcoming remarks, the Arboretum has always been “a place for citizen participation.”
“It was dedicated citizens who founded the Arboretum, and it is ordinary folks like you who have sustained it and made it better over all these years.”
Special thanks to our event partners, the Student Conservation Association, UW Botanic Gardens, and Seattle Parks and Recreation. Thanks also to Caffe Ladro Espresso Bar & Bakery, Starbucks, and CLIF Bar for fueling our volunteer corps.
