Forest Feast

A Leadership Dinner at the Arboretum

Thursday, September 11, 2025
5:00—8:30pm
Washington Park Arboretum

You are warmly invited to our Leadership Dinner at the Arboretum on the evening of September 11. Held under the canopy of the Arboretum, it will be an intimate gathering of people who have been foundational leaders to both the Arboretum and UW Botanic Gardens, as well as new friends who are excited about our future together. This intimate outdoor dinner will gather our closest partners and supporters to celebrate the transformative vision shaping the future of the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.

Together, we’ll enjoy drinks (nonalcoholic and alcoholic) at dusk, then move into the trees for a meal crafted by Chef Sheldon Raju, one of Seattle’s most exciting new culinary voices.

Proceeds support the Transformation Fund (see below).

Buy Tickets

Tickets are $250 or $1,000, with all proceeds benefitting the Arboretum’s transformational future. To purchase tickets online, visit our donation page and indicate “Leadership Dinner” in the Comments box of the form. Or contact Jackson Cooper, Interim Director of Advancement, at jcooper@arboretumfoundation.org.

Planning & Logistics

Food Selection & Dietary Restrictions
Our three-course Forest Feast (salad, dinner, and dessert) will be crafted by Chef Sheldon Raju. Prior to the meal, Chef Raju will introduce his culinary perspective and story of how the Forest Feast came together. Please make your selection of one of two main entrees by September 4.

Make your meal selection and share dietary restrictions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/forestfeast

The menu is thoughtfully created using seasonal ingredients. Plates will be pre-set for all guests. If you require a vegan or dairy-free alternative entrée, please select this option to ensure availability. Due to the limitations of a plated service in an off-site forest setting (everything must be transported in), we may be unable to accommodate additional substitutions.

For any concerns beyond vegan/dairy-free needs, please contact Jackson Cooper, Interim Director of Advancement, at jcooper@arboretumfoundation.org.

Accessibility/Accommodations
Guests should anticipate walking up to 1/8 mile along Arboretum Drive to the cocktail lounge area. From there, the dining area requires another short walk (approx. 1/8 mile) on a flat, natural trail. We will have a cart available for those who need assistance to reach the cocktail area. (Please note: the path to the dining area is too narrow for the cart to navigate safely due to layout and terrain.)

Attire
Attire is “garden party.” Some might describe this as “business attire” or “elevated casual.” We will be outside on variable terrain. You’re encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring layers for when the sun dips behind the trees. We will provide you with a blanket on your chair to stay cozy during dinner.

Parking & Transportation
Parking is available along Arboretum Drive and in the Graham Visitors Center (GVC) lot, we encourage guests to use the GVC lot whenever possible, as space is limited along the drive. A cart will be available to transport guests to the cocktail area. ADA parking will be reserved for guests with mobility needs.

Program
To ensure that your conversations will be rich, we are planning a light program for the evening, coincident with dinner. Drinks will begin at 5pm. At 6pm, we’ll move under the tree canopy to begin our meal. With dessert, around 7pm, we’ll hear from two of our leaders on this journey: Dr. Christina Owen, Director of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, and Maribeth O’Connor, Board Chair of the Arboretum Foundation. Together, they’ll talk about the transformative vision shaping the future of the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.

Restrooms
We will be renting luxury portable bathrooms for the event. They will have running water and soap for hand washing.

Weather Contingencies
Long-time Seattleites know that September can bring a variety of weather. In the case of rain or wildfire smoke, we have an inside option available at our Graham Visitors Center. We will be tracking air quality index (AQI) and will come up with a contingency plan as necessary.

About the Transformation Fund

Right now, we are planting the seeds of an extraordinary garden in Seattle: an organization that brings together the unique strengths of the Arboretum Foundation and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. Together, our organizations can do so much more. We ask you to join us as we realize this ambitious vision.

The Transformation Fund supports our ambitions to create a place where people and plants thrive, together. With your gift, we can plant seeds to nurture the next generation of stewards and scientists. We can create a meaningful space where everyone can learn, where families and neighbors can find joy, and where all people feel invited and included.